Saudi Industrial Production Index drops by over 19% in April 2026

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Production Index recorded a decline of 19.1 percent in April 2026 compared to the same month of the previous year, driven by decreases in both mining and quarrying, and manufacturing activities. On a monthly basis, the index also recorded a decline of 6.8 percent.In its report released on Wednesday, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) stated that the sub-index for mining and quarrying activity fell by 29.9 percent year-on-year in April 2026, while registering a monthly decline of 9.3 percent.According to the report, the sub-index for manufacturing activity decreased by 6.1 percent compared with April of the previous year, primarily due to a decline in the production of coke and refined petroleum products, which fell by 18.7 percent, as well as a 4.2 percent decrease in the production of chemicals and chemical products.With regard to monthly performance, preliminary results showed that the manufacturing activity sub-index declined by 4.8 percent, reflecting a 6.1 percent decrease in the production of coke and refined petroleum products and a 9.7 percent decline in the production of chemicals and chemical products.Meanwhile, the sub-index for electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply activities increased by 20.8 percent, while the sub-index for water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities rose by 8.8 percent compared with April of the previous year. Compared with March 2026, the sub-index for electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply activities increased by 4.5 percent, while the sub-index for water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities recorded a 4.7percent increase.The oil activities index declined by 27.8 percent in April 2026 compared with the same month of the previous year, whereas the non-oil activities index increased by 2.1 percent. The results also showed a monthly decline of 8.7 percent in the oil activities index and a 3.2 percent decrease in the non-oil activities index compared with March 2026.RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Production Index recorded a decline of 19.1 percent in April 2026 compared to the same month of the previous year, driven by decreases in both mining and quarrying, and manufacturing activities. On a monthly basis, the index also recorded a decline of 6.8 percent.In its report released on Wednesday, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) stated that the sub-index for mining and quarrying activity fell by 29.9 percent year-on-year in April 2026, while registering a monthly decline of 9.3 percent.According to the report, the sub-index for manufacturing activity decreased by 6.1 percent compared with April of the previous year, primarily due to a decline in the production of coke and refined petroleum products, which fell by 18.7 percent, as well as a 4.2 percent decrease in the production of chemicals and chemical products.With regard to monthly performance, preliminary results showed that the manufacturing activity sub-index declined by 4.8 percent, reflecting a 6.1 percent decrease in the production of coke and refined petroleum products and a 9.7 percent decline in the production of chemicals and chemical products.Meanwhile, the sub-index for electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply activities increased by 20.8 percent, while the sub-index for water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities rose by 8.8 percent compared with April of the previous year. Compared with March 2026, the sub-index for electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply activities increased by 4.5 percent, while the sub-index for water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities recorded a 4.7percent increase.The oil activities index declined by 27.8 percent in April 2026 compared with the same month of the previous year, whereas the non-oil activities index increased by 2.1 percent. The results also showed a monthly decline of 8.7 percent in the oil activities index and a 3.2 percent decrease in the non-oil activities index compared with March 2026.