Gold and metals

Saudi Arabia's construction cost index rises 2.3% in August

Saudi Arabia's construction cost index rose 2.3% year on year in August 2026, driven by increases of 2.6% in the non-residential sector and 2.1% in the residential sector.

Published:

Listen to this article

An automatically generated audio version.

0:00
0:00
Saudi Arabia's construction cost index rises 2.3% in August

Saudi Arabia's construction cost index rose 2.3% in August 2026 from the same month a year earlier, August 2025, according to data released by the Saudi General Authority for Statistics on Tuesday.

Residential sector costs

The data showed that the residential construction cost index rose 2.1% year on year, driven by increases in several cost components.

Basic materials costs rose 1.8%, due to a 2% increase in the prices of metal products. Equipment and machinery rental costs also increased 4.1%, driven by a 5.6% rise in the cost of renting equipment and machinery with an operator.

Labor costs rose 5.1%, while energy prices increased 3% over the same period.

Non-residential sector

The non-residential construction cost index rose 2.6% year on year in August 2026, while equipment and machinery rental costs increased 5.8%.

Read this story in another language

Related stories

Trump Signals New Tariffs on South Korea Over Alaska Investment

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose higher tariffs on South Korea if it does not proceed with investment in a $54 billion liquefied natural gas project in Alaska, while Seoul says the project's economic viability must first be established.

Sisi: Energy Crisis Puts Pressure on Africa as Fuel and Fertilizer Prices Rise

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said in remarks at the opening of the El Alamein Africa Business Forum that the current global energy crisis is affecting and putting pressure on African countries because of higher fuel and fertilizer prices, disruptions to supply and shipping chains, and other repercussions.

Slowing U.S. hiring cuts odds of October rate hike to 25%

A slowdown in U.S. job growth to 29,000, versus expectations for 90,000, strengthened the Federal Reserve's inclination to hold rates at its Oct. 27-28 meeting. Investors cut the probability of a rate hike at that meeting to 25% and increasingly bet on a move in December.