Google has announced the launch of its new Economic Impact Report, conducted by independent consultancy Public First that looks at how Google products (Search, Play, Maps, YouTube and Google Ads) have helped people, local businesses, content creators and developers in Saudi Arabia throughout 2024.
Around the world, Google releases Impact Reports which are based on consumer and business polling, economic modeling, case studies and third party data.
The report demonstrates how Google’s AI-powered tools and products are driving macroeconomic growth, improving daily life and productivity for the Saudi society and economy.
In fact, Public First estimates that Google provided SAR31.2 billion ($8.3 billion) of economic activity in Saudi Arabia.
Google had commissioned research agency Public First to explore how Google’s innovations and products are helping communities, workers and businesses in KSA, as well as the future potential of AI across the Kingdom.
Public First conducted a survey of 1,059 online adults based in the KSA and a survey of 370 business leaders based in the KSA. These surveys were conducted in English and Arabic in March 2025.
"We're incredibly proud to be a partner in Saudi Arabia’s bold digital transformation vision," remarked Anthony Nakache, the Managing Director for Google in the Middle East & North Africa.
"The report reflects our investment in accelerating the Kingdom’s ambitious journey towards a diversified, AI-driven economy. Through significant investments, strong local partnerships, and our AI-powered tools, we're bringing substantial economic value and empowering individuals, businesses, and communities," stated Nakache.
Google is equipping Saudis for the jobs of the future, and fostering a vibrant digital ecosystem. The report highlights that since 2018, over 590,000 individuals in Saudi Arabia were trained in essential digital and AI skills through Google’s key skilling initiative "Maharat Min Google."
This effort includes empowering a diverse and mature ecosystem of developers. In 2024, the Android and Google Play app ecosystem supported the creation of 29,000 jobs in the Kingdom, according to the report.
The Google Impact Report in Saudi Arabia explores the impact of Google’s products in 2024 across three areas: People, Businesses and Communities.
Below are the additional findings that highlight how Google makes everyday life easier for people in Saudi Arabia.
*SAR564 a month on average in consumer benefits is created by Google's services for Saudis.
*53% of adults said they had used Gemini, Google’s AI Assistant, and 1 in 3 of users now use it every day.
*86% of users agreed that Gemini helped them to be more productive.
*78% of users agreed that Gemini is easier to use in Arabic than other AI chatbots
*54% of adults agree that Google Search is essential to their daily lives.
*89% said that they find the results of Google Search reliable.
*88% of users said that Google Maps and/or Waze was helpful to avoid getting lost.
*89% of adults use Google Search at least once a month to compare the prices of products and services.
*92% of 18-24 year olds said they use Google Search at least weekly to shop or browse products online.
*70% of adults use Google Maps and/or Waze at least once a month to find a local business.
*86% of those users said they had checked Google reviews at least once a month before visiting a local venue or business.
*90% of public sector workers said that Google AI-enabled tools help them to be more productive at work.
According to Public First research and Google internal data, around SAR20.7 million of revenue was generated by the Android app economy for Saudi developers in 2024.
Google’s investment in Saudi Arabia, including its Google Cloud region in Dammam, and the global AI Hub, is likely to increase the kingdom's GDP by $71 billion over the next eight years, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
