Imports of ICT goods soared to SAR54.9 billion, marking a 19.9 percent increase in 2023
Saudi Arabia’s digital economy rose to 15.6 percent of the Kingdom’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023, marking a 1.6 percent rise compared to 2022.
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) revealed in its 2023 Digital Economy Statistics Bulletin that imports of information and communication technology (ICT) goods experienced remarkable growth, reaching SAR54.9 billion in 2023, up from SAR45.8 billion in 2022, reflecting a growth rate of 19.9 percent.
According to the bulletin, exports and re-exports of ICT goods saw a significant increase of 76.1 percent, rising from SAR6.7 billion to SAR11.8 billion during the same period.
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The bulletin also indicated that 71.6 percent of establishments connected to the internet utilized smart devices or systems linked to the internet. Among the most notable of these technologies were smart alarm systems, smart meters, smart lighting, and smart surveillance cameras.
Regarding the sector’s financial performance, operating revenues for the ICT sector in 2023 totaled approximately SAR236.4 billion, while operating expenses reached SAR115.4 billion. Employee compensation in the sector amounted to SAR27.5 billion.
As for the structure of the digital economy, the core level, consisting of activities that produce ICT goods and services, contributed 2.6 percent to GDP. The narrow level, covering establishments relying on digital inputs, contributed 2.3 percent. The broad level, which includes establishments significantly enhancing their products and services through digital inputs, accounted for 10.7 percent of GDP.
This survey adheres to international standards set by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its Handbook on Measuring Digital Trade, ensuring the international comparability of Saudi Arabia’s digital economy indicators.