Saudi Arabia: 2018 Article IV Consultation-Press Release and Staff Report
IMF Staff Country Reports, August 24, 2018
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- Saudi Arabia: 2018 Article IV Consultation-Press Release and Staff Report
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Bibliographic details
- Published: August 24, 2018
- Series: IMF Staff Country Reports
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781484374269.002
Growth and outlook
- Real GDP growth is expected to increase to 1.9 percent in 2018.
- Non-oil growth is expected to strengthen to 2.3 percent in 2018.
- Growth is expected to pick-up further over the medium term as the reforms take hold and oil output increases.
- Risks are balanced in the near-term.
Labor and employment
- Employment of Saudi nationals has increased, especially for women.
- The unemployment rate among Saudi nationals rose to 12.8 percent in 2017.
Financial sector and credit
- Credit and deposit growth remain weak.
- Both credit and deposit growth are expected to strengthen owing to higher government spending and non-oil growth.
Fiscal outlook
- The fiscal deficit is projected to continue to narrow, from 9.3 percent of GDP in 2017 to 4.6 percent of GDP in 2018.
Content in this bundle
- Country Report