Saudi Arabia Services Trade Hits SAR 180 Billion in Q2 2026 Amid Vision 2030 Expansion

Saudi Arabia generated total international services trade of SAR 180.3 billion ($47.95 billion) during the second quarter of 2026. The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the latest official trade report in Riyadh on Monday. The figures reflect robust foreign demand for Saudi travel offerings alongside high domestic demand for international transport and engineering services.

Why it matters: Saudi Arabia is executing an ambitious economic modernization plan under Vision 2030. The rapid construction of mega-projects fuels strong domestic demand for global engineering, transport, and management services. Meanwhile, the steady expansion of local service industries supports the Kingdom’s goal of building a resilient non-oil economy.

Vision 2030 Expansion Shapes Trade Dynamics

The big picture: The Kingdom’s non-oil economy reached 55 percent of total real gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025. In addition, the private sector’s contribution to total GDP reached 51 percent. Consequently, large-scale investments in infrastructure, technology, and logistics continue to transform the domestic commercial landscape.

As major projects such as NEOM, Qiddiya, and the Red Sea destination accelerate execution, demand for specialized international partners remains elevated. Therefore, services imports increased notably during the second quarter of 2026. GASTAT data reveals that total service imports rose 8.4 percent compared to the first quarter of 2026. Imports reached SAR 120.8 billion ($32.13 billion) in Q2 2026, up from SAR 111.4 billion ($29.63 billion) in Q1. Increased spending on overseas personal travel and international maritime shipping primarily drove this quarter-on-quarter growth.

Between the lines: Conversely, services exports contracted by 16.5 percent during the same period. Exports reached SAR 59.5 billion ($15.82 billion) in Q2 2026, compared to SAR 71.3 billion ($18.96 billion) in Q1. Seasonal fluctuations in visitor traffic mainly caused this decline. Travel exports reached exceptionally high levels during the first quarter because of winter leisure travel and peak Umrah season. Despite the quarterly decrease, travel exports still generated the vast majority of total export earnings for the Kingdom.

Sector Drivers Across Travel, Transport, and Tech

Sector-level figures show how specific economic activities drive national trade flows. For instance, transport services topped all import categories during the second quarter. Massive supply chain requirements for ongoing national development projects generated extensive demand for international freight services. Maritime shipping alone comprised over 40 percent of total transport import value.

Simultaneously, outgoing personal travel by Saudi residents expanded noticeably. Saudi travelers increased overseas spending by 17 percent compared to the previous quarter. Personal travel accounted for 92 percent of total travel imports, reaching SAR 25.0 billion ($6.65 billion).

On the export side, personal travel visitors provided the largest share of export earnings. Travel exports reached SAR 33.8 billion ($8.99 billion) in Q2 2026, with personal travel representing 93.9 percent of that amount. Furthermore, air transport led all export transport categories, generating nearly 39 percent of segment revenue.

The digital economy also demonstrated solid trade activity. Saudi exports of telecommunications, computer, and information services reached SAR 2.6 billion ($691.49 million). Telecommunications services provided 50.9 percent of this digital total. This expansion supports Saudi Arabia’s strategic target to elevate the digital economy’s overall contribution to national GDP. Other business services exports reached SAR 2.3 billion ($611.70 million). Professional and management consulting services generated 51.7 percent of this specific export category.

Imports Track Growing Activity

By the numbers:

• Total Services Exports: SAR 59.5 billion ($15.82 billion), down 16.5% from SAR 71.3 billion ($18.96 billion) in Q1 2026.
• Total Services Imports: SAR 120.8 billion ($32.13 billion), up 8.4% from SAR 111.4 billion ($29.63 billion) in Q1 2026.
• Services Trade Deficit: SAR 61.3 billion ($16.31 billion) in Q2 2026.
• Travel Services Exports: SAR 33.8 billion ($8.99 billion), down 23.6% quarter-on-quarter, with personal travel comprising 93.9% of the total.
• Transport Services Exports: SAR 10.5 billion ($2.79 billion), led by air transport at 39%, followed by maritime and land shipping.
• Telecom, Computer & Information Exports: SAR 2.6 billion ($691.49 million), with telecommunications forming 50.9% of the subtotal.
• Other Business Services Exports: SAR 2.3 billion ($611.70 million), with professional and management consulting contributing 51.7%.
• Construction Services Exports: SAR 1.8 billion ($478.72 million).
• Government Services Exports: SAR 1.8 billion ($478.72 million).
• Financial Services Exports: SAR 1.5 billion ($398.94 million).
• Transport Services Imports: SAR 34.1 billion ($9.07 billion), with maritime shipping comprising 40.8%, followed by air and land shipping.
• Travel Services Imports: SAR 25.0 billion ($6.65 billion), up 17% quarter-on-quarter, with personal travel forming 92.0%.
• Other Business Services Imports: SAR 18.8 billion ($5.0 billion), with professional and management consulting accounting for 50.8%.
• Construction Services Imports: SAR 14.5 billion ($3.86 billion).
• Government Services Imports: SAR 7.3 billion ($1.94 billion).
• Insurance & Pension Services Imports: SAR 6.0 billion ($1.60 billion).
• Telecom, Computer & Information Imports: SAR 4.0 billion ($1.06 billion).

Strategic Outlook for Non-Oil Trade Growth

What’s next: Economic analysts expect Saudi services trade to maintain elevated activity throughout the remainder of 2026. The Kingdom continues to execute extensive investments under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program. Furthermore, the national tourism framework aims to attract 150 million foreign and domestic visits annually by 2030. Substantial foreign direct investments continue to enter key domestic sectors, including clean energy, manufacturing, and entertainment.

Consequently, domestic demand for specialized consulting, technical engineering, and logistics services will remain robust. At the same time, expanding national air carriers and opening new international flight paths will strengthen future travel exports. Moreover, small and medium enterprises now account for 22.9 percent of national GDP. These local businesses increasingly export specialized digital, financial, and management expertise across regional markets.

Ultimately, these Q2 figures illustrate a dynamic economy undergoing structured industrial modernization. Saudi Arabia continues to expand sustainable non-oil revenue streams while deepening global commercial relationships across all key service sectors.