Saudi Arabia Loses 103 Billion Riyals in Residential Sales Over 9 Months
Residential real estate sales in Saudi Arabia fell to 144.09 billion riyals in the first nine months of 2026, a decline of 41.68%, while transactions dropped 24.17% to 175,630 transactions.
Residential real estate sales in Saudi Arabia dropped by nearly 103 billion riyals during the first nine months of 2026, reaching a value of 144.09 billion riyals compared to 247.06 billion riyals in the same period of 2025, an annual decline of 41.68%. Data from the Real Estate General Authority, reported by Amlak Real Estate newspaper, showed that the decline occurred despite quarterly improvements in sales value throughout the year.
The third quarter of 2026 recorded the highest quarterly transaction value of the year at 52.66 billion riyals, compared to 47.23 billion riyals in the second quarter and 44.21 billion riyals in the first quarter, reflecting a quarterly increase of 11.5% and a 19.1% rise from the first quarter. However, the annual comparison remains negative, as sales fell from 73.02 billion riyals in the third quarter of 2025, a drop of 27.89%.
The contraction was not limited to sales value; it also extended to the number of transactions, which reached 175,630 during the first nine months compared to 231,606 transactions in the corresponding period last year—a decline of 24.17% or approximately 55,976 fewer transactions. The third quarter recorded 64,588 transactions compared to 72,625 transactions a year earlier, down 11.07%, though it rose 10.51% compared to the second quarter.
The average value of residential transactions declined across all three quarters on an annual basis, reaching 753,264 riyals in the first quarter compared to 789,954 riyals in 2025, down 4.64%, and then 726,407 riyals in the second quarter compared to 774,997 riyals. The average in the third quarter reached 686,075 riyals compared to 741,896 riyals a year earlier, a decline of 7.52%, reflecting two simultaneous pictures of the market: a clear annual slump and a gradual quarterly recovery.
What do these terms mean?
Real Estate General Authority: The Saudi government entity responsible for regulating the real estate sector, publishing market data, and issuing licenses.
Real Estate Transaction: An officially recorded sale or purchase process of a property or residential unit, used to calculate the volume of market activity.
Average Transaction Value: The total sales value divided by the number of transactions, used to measure price trends and demand levels.
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