Statistics: Building permits grew by 28.4% and operating revenues by 5% in November 2025
The latest data issued by the General Authority for Statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia showed the continued economic momentum in the non-oil sectors, as the results of the short-term business indicators for November 2025 revealed remarkable growth in construction and operational activities, reflecting the vitality of the national economy and the alignment of the sector results with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Operating revenue growth supported by vital sectors
The operating revenue index recorded a year-on-year increase of 5.0% compared to November 2024. This growth was primarily driven by the strong performance of manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and the rapidly growing telecommunications and information technology sector in the Kingdom. Despite this year-on-year growth, the index saw a slight month-on-month decrease of 1.2% compared to October 2025, impacted by a temporary decline in mining and quarrying activities and some healthcare activities.
Boom in the construction sector
In a strong indication of continued urban expansion and major projects, building permits have seen a significant leap; the number of permits issued in November 2025 recorded a substantial annual growth of 28.4%, reaching a total of 8,034 permits, compared to 6,258 permits in the same month of the previous year. The number also increased by 7.7% compared to the previous month (October 2025).
This significant increase in building permits is attributed to the ongoing activity in housing projects and major development projects taking place in various regions of the Kingdom, which strengthens the role of the construction sector as one of the main drivers of economic growth and job creation.
Increased compensation for workers and labor market indicators
In the labor market, data showed a notable increase in the employee compensation index, rising by 13.6% year-on-year. This increase was driven by growth in wages and benefits in the manufacturing, construction, and financial and insurance sectors. This indicator reflects improved purchasing power and the attractiveness of the labor market in sectors targeted for localization and development.
The importance of short-term economic indicators
This data is of particular importance to investors and decision-makers, as the short-term business indicators issued by the General Authority for Statistics aim to monitor the economic pulse periodically and measure the performance of different sectors, which helps in formulating economic policies and anticipating the future of commercial and investment activities in the Kingdom.
