Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — The final months of 2025 marked a transformative period for Saudi Arabia, underscored by decisive economic reforms, global recognition in digital governance, and historic levels of tourism and pilgrimage activity.
As the year drew to a close, the Kingdom recorded strong performance indicators and tangible progress across key sectors, reinforcing momentum toward Vision 2030 objectives.
Industrial growth and competitiveness
In a significant policy shift, the Cabinet approved the elimination of the expatriate levy for licensed industrial facilities, building on six years of exemptions aimed at strengthening the industrial base.
The measures have contributed to a 56% expansion in industrial gross domestic product, exceeding SR501 billion, alongside a 74% increase in industrial employment.
The Kingdom now hosts more than 12,000 industrial facilities, up from 8,822 in 2019, reflecting accelerated diversification and growing industrial competitiveness.
Global recognition in technology and healthcare
Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation agenda achieved a major milestone in 2025, ranking second globally on the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index with a score of 99.64%, placing the Kingdom in the “very advanced” category.
Record figures across sectors
By late 2025, multiple indicators reflected strong economic and social activity across the Kingdom, including:
SR30.7 billion in e-commerce sales in October, a 68% year-on-year.
68.7 million visitors to the Two Holy Mosques during Jumada Al-Akhira (mid-November to mid-December)
8 million attendees at Riyadh Season 2025 since October
32.3% year-on-year growth in non-oil exports in October
95 tons of seasonal seeds stored, setting a Guinness World Record
26 international awards won by Saudi students at the World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth (WAICY), ranking first globally
$160 Million development loans signed with Mauritania for water and electricity projects
158,000 tons of citrus production at the start of the new agricultural season
A 1.9% annual inflation rate recorded in November
Closing the year
By the end of 2025, Saudi Arabia had advanced structural transformation across its economy, tourism, healthcare, and technology sectors, translating long-term planning into measurable outcomes.
From record-breaking pilgrim and visitor numbers to leading global rankings in digital governance, and from industrial expansion to international development partnerships, the Kingdom closed the year demonstrating steady progress toward the goals of Vision 2030.
