Business · Economy · 21 hrs ago
Saudi business confidence stays optimistic at 55.5 despite October dip
Saudi Arabia’s Business Confidence Index stood at 55.5 in October, down 1.1 points from September.
The index measures confidence among businesses outside the oil-related sector, and readings above 50 indicate optimism.
The October result remained above the optimism threshold despite regional uncertainty and pressure on supply chains.
Confidence also remained positive in industry, services and construction, though each sector’s reading fell from September.
A separate measure, the Riyad Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index, was 54, signalling that the non-oil private sector continued to expand.
The figures suggest businesses remain confident in Saudi Arabia’s economic direction, with Vision 2030 supporting activity beyond oil.
No specific next step was announced.
Saudi Arabia’s Business Confidence Index stood at 55.5 in October, remaining above the 50-point threshold for optimism despite a monthly decline of 1.1 points.
The General Authority for Statistics said the index reflected confidence among business establishments outside oil-related activities.
The index had recovered from 52.1 in March and reached 56.6 in September before its October dip.
October readings were 55.4 for industry, 54.2 for services and 56.1 for construction.
The Riyad Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index, compiled by S&P Global, stood at 54 in October, indicating expansion in the non-oil private sector.
- Who
- Saudi business establishments outside oil-related activities.
- What
- The Business Confidence Index was 55.5 in October, down 1.1 points from September but still in optimistic territory.
- When
- October; the article was published on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The index measures business confidence. GASTAT attributed declines in industry and services to lower confidence, particularly about sales and input costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The index reached a low of 52.1 as regional geopolitical tensions intensified.
The index rose to 54.5.
The index rose to 55.6.
The index rose to 56.6.
The index eased to 56.5 in July, then rose to 56.7 in August and stood at 56.6 in September.
The index fell 1.1 points from September to 55.5.
- Overall index
- 55.5 points in October
- Monthly change
- Down 1.1 points from September
- Optimism threshold
- 50 points
- Industrial sector
- 55.4 points in October
- Services sector
- 54.2 points in October
- Construction sector
- 56.1 points in October
What people are saying
BCI reflects prevailing optimism in the business sector, supported by establishments’ confidence in the stability of economic activity and continued growth across various sectors.
What the Kingdom has achieved is not simply to stimulate economic activity, but to create confidence in its long-term economic direction.