The Saudi Ministry of Finance welcomed the International Monetary Fund’s 2026 Article IV consultation report, which found that Saudi Arabia entered 2026 with strong economic momentum and capacity to withstand regional geopolitical tensions. Gross domestic product grew 4.6% in 2025, supported by the unwinding of OPEC+ production cuts and strong domestic demand, while the non-oil primary deficit narrowed to 23.3% of non-oil GDP from 24.5% in 2024. The IMF assessed public debt as sustainable and overall sovereign risks as low, citing declining government debt, ample reserves and sizable sovereign assets. Saudi Central Bank net foreign assets stood at USD 437 billion at the end of 2025. The banking sector retained robust capital and liquidity buffers, while nonperforming loans fell to a decade-low 1% of total loans. The report also credited Saudi Vision 2030 reforms with reducing oil dependence and strengthening institutional frameworks. It estimated that artificial intelligence adoption could increase real GDP growth by up to 6% over the next decade, while emphasizing continued structural reforms and fiscal and monetary discipline.
Ministry of Finance (Saudi Arabia)2026-07-29
Saudi Ministry of Finance welcomes IMF assessment of economic resilience and low sovereign risks
The Saudi Ministry of Finance welcomed an IMF assessment that found the economy resilient to regional tensions, with GDP growth of 4.6% in 2025 and low overall sovereign risks. The IMF cited ample financial buffers, sustainable public debt and a well-capitalized banking sector, where nonperforming loans fell to a decade-low 1%.