{
  "id": 8951269,
  "title": "Building permits issued in Saudi Arabia surge 16% in July",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/building-permits-issued-in-saudi-arabia-surge-16-in-july",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-21T14:58:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Saudi Gazette",
    "slug": "saudi-gazette",
    "url": "https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/664739/saudi-arabia/building-permits-issued-in-saudi-arabia-surge-16-in-july"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi Arabia saw a 16% surge in building permits issued in July 2026, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The number of permits rose from 5,045 in June 2026 to 5,828, marking a 4% increase compared to July 2025 when 5,582 permits were issued. While a slight decrease of 0.2% was observed month-over-month, compared to May 2026 where 5,056 permits were granted. The construction cost index also experienced a 2.3% increase in July 2026 compared to the previous year, attributed to a 2.2% rise in residential sector costs and a 2.6% increase in non-residential sector costs. The residential sector index saw a 2.2% year-on-year increase due to a 4.2% rise in equipment and machinery rental costs, a 1.4% increase in labor costs, and a 3% rise in energy prices. Basic material costs also rose by 1.8%, driven by a 3.9% increase in timber and carpentry prices and a 2.8% increase in the prices of other building materials. The construction cost index in June 2026 was 104.0 points, up from 101.2 points in June 2025, mainly due to a 5% increase in equipment and machinery rental costs, a 3% rise in energy costs, and a 2.6% increase in labor costs. Construction cost data showed continued growth in both sectors, with the residential sector recording a 2.6% increase compared to June 2025, driven by a 4.5% rise in equipment and machinery rental costs, a 3% increase in energy costs, a 2.5% increase in labor costs, and a 1.8% rise in basic material costs.",
  "summary": "RIYADH — The number of building permits issued in Saudi Arabia rose to 5,828 in July 2026, compared to June 2026, when 5,045 permits were issued, marking a 16 percent monthly increase. This number also marked a 4 percent year-on-year increase when compared to 5,582 in July 2025, according to the report of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The number of building permits issued in…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "‘We will destroy your economy’: Houthi leaders warn Saudi Arabia in joint statement",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/we-will-destroy-your-economy-houthi-leaders-warn-saudi-arabia-in",
        "published": "2026-09-21T08:59:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Senegal condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi cities",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/senegal-condemns-houthi-attacks-on-saudi-cities",
        "published": "2026-09-21T10:30:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Trump changes course twice on Houthi airstrikes after Saudi pressure, says NYT",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/trump-changes-course-twice-on-houthi-airstrikes-after-saudi-pressure",
        "published": "2026-09-21T11:06:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Saudi Gazette",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia strongly condemns Israeli incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/saudi-arabia-strongly-condemns-israeli-incursion-into-al-aqsa-mosque",
        "published": "2026-09-21T13:09:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Malaysia condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/malaysia-condemns-houthi-attacks-on-saudi-arabia",
        "published": "2026-09-21T13:55:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia left without US help against Houthis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/saudi-arabia-left-without-us-help-against-houthis",
        "published": "2026-09-21T14:57:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}