Saudi Arabia’s digital economy has reached a significant milestone. It accounted for 15.6% of the Kingdom’s GDP in 2023, according to the latest bulletin from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). That marks a 1.6% increase from 2022.
The digital economy’s contribution to GDP continues to expand. It reflects the Kingdom’s steady progress toward Vision 2030 goals, especially in technology-driven economic diversification. The ICT sector leads this surge.
The import of ICT goods climbed sharply in 2023. It totaled SR54.9 billion, up from SR45.8 billion in 2022 — a 19.9% growth rate. Meanwhile, exports and re-exports soared by 76.1%, reaching SR11.8 billion, compared to SR6.7 billion the year before.
In parallel, the digital economy’s contribution to GDP also saw momentum through enhanced adoption of smart systems. Around 71.6% of internet-connected establishments now use devices such as smart meters, alarms, surveillance, and lighting systems.
The ICT sector posted SR236.4 billion in total operating revenues in 2023. Operating expenses stood at SR115.4 billion, while compensation to employees hit SR27.5 billion. These figures confirm the sector’s increasing weight in the economy and labor market.
To better capture the digital economy’s contribution to GDP, GASTAT used UNCTAD’s three-level framework. The basic level, focused on core ICT production, made up 2.6% of GDP. The narrow level, covering digital-input-reliant firms, added 2.3%. The broad level, comprising digitalized products and services, contributed 10.7% — the largest segment.
The Kingdom compiled this data in accordance with UNCTAD’s international guidelines. These ensure comparability, transparency, and reliability across nations. As a result, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a digital hub in both the region and the world.
The latest report reflects growing confidence in the Kingdom’s tech-driven economic future. It shows that the digital economy’s contribution to GDP is no longer marginal — it is foundational.
