Minister of Information: Non-oil sector's contribution to GDP is projected to be 55.4% by 2025
Saudi Minister of Information Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossari announced that the Kingdom will achieve significant leaps in its economic and development indicators by the end of 2025, stressing that the contribution of non-oil activities to the real GDP reached 55.4%, reflecting the success of economic diversification plans.
This came during the 30th government press conference held in Qiddiya, where the minister reviewed the most prominent national achievements, noting that the Kingdom is turning a new page of ambition and successes, coinciding with the Cabinet’s approval of the state’s general budget for the fiscal year 2026, which focuses on strategic spending and development projects.
Vision context and economic transformation
This significant achievement in non-oil sector growth is the culmination of the transformation journey that began with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aimed primarily to reduce reliance on oil as the sole source of income. Since 2016, the government has been working to restructure the economy and support promising sectors such as tourism, entertainment, mining, industry, and logistics, which explains the jump from 45.9% in 2016 to the current rate exceeding 55%.
Implications of economic and social stability
The significance of these figures extends beyond the financial aspect, encompassing improvements in citizens' quality of life. Al-Dossari explained that homeownership among Saudi families reached 65.4% by the end of 2024, compared to only 47% in 2016, reflecting the effectiveness of the housing and financing solutions offered by the government. Furthermore, advancements in the health and environmental sectors have positively impacted individual health, with the average life expectancy in the Kingdom rising to 79.7 years.
Leadership in artificial intelligence and infrastructure
In the technology and future sector, the Minister of Media affirmed that the Kingdom has solidified its position as a global leader in artificial intelligence, ranking first globally in the AI Youth Competition Awards and second globally in digital government. These digital achievements are complemented by a robust infrastructure, with the Riyadh Metro achieving a world-class punctuality rate of 99.8%, transporting millions of passengers, and plans to expand its lines to include Diriyah Gate and Qiddiya.
Qiddiya... the destination of the future
Regarding major projects, the conference highlighted the Qiddiya project, announcing details of the Six Flags experiences and the hosting of the IMPAC 2026 conference. The minister noted that global interest in the project has grown unprecedentedly, with Qiddiya's name reaching billions of followers worldwide, confirming its status as a future capital for entertainment, sports, and culture.
Media regulation and freedom of expression
The minister concluded his remarks by emphasizing the Kingdom’s commitment to responsible freedom of expression, explaining that the measures taken against those who incite public opinion come within the context of protecting the security and stability of society, while making a complete distinction between constructive criticism and misleading content. At the same time, he announced the launch of the “School of Talented Media Professionals” to build a professional media generation that keeps pace with these achievements.
