Saudi Arabia's Industrial Output Drops in August Amid Mining, Manufacturing Slump

05:35 AM EDT, 10/12/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Mining and manufacturing output declines dragged down industrial production in Saudi Arabia in August, data from the country's General Authority for Statistics showed Sunday. The 23.5% year-over-year fall in the country's industrial production index accelerated from July's revised 8.3% decline. Oil-related activities plunged 33.6%, while non-oil activities rose by 1.2%. On a monthly basis, the slowdown in manufacturing and mining and quarrying also drove a 14% decrease in overall industrial production. Oil activities dropped 21.5% compared with the prior month, while non-oil activities were up 1.4%. Year over year, the mining and quarrying sub-index fell 35.8%, while month-on-month activity slipped 24%. As for manufacturing, decreased output in coke and refined petroleum products, as well as reduced chemical product manufacturing, led to an 8.8% yearly decline in activity and a 3.2% fall in monthly performance. Meanwhile, positive results were recorded in the utilities-related sub-index, with electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply activity up 9.4% annually and water and waste management 7.4% higher. Month on month, electricity and gas grew 7%, while water management ticked up 0.2%.