Saudi Arabia’s foreign reserves have surged to their highest level in six years, signaling renewed fiscal strength as the Kingdom accelerates its economic transformation agenda.

Net foreign assets held by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) climbed 3 percent month-on-month in January to reach SR1.78 trillion ($475 billion), up SR58.7 billion from December, according to data reported by Argaam. On an annual basis, reserves rose 10 percent, equivalent to SR155.8 billion.

The increase highlights the Kingdom’s strengthening financial buffers amid global economic uncertainty. Reserve assets, widely regarded as a key indicator of external stability, include foreign securities, foreign currency and deposits, as well as Saudi Arabia’s reserve position at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), and monetary gold.

Foreign currency reserves, which account for roughly 95 percent of total holdings, rose nearly 10 percent year-on-year to SR1.68 trillion in January 2026. The Kingdom’s reserve position at the IMF increased 9 percent to SR13.1 billion, while SDRs climbed 5 percent to SR80.5 billion. Gold reserves remained unchanged at SR1.62 billion, a level maintained since 2008.

The sustained accumulation of reserves reinforces confidence in the riyal’s long-standing peg to the US dollar, a cornerstone of Saudi monetary policy. With stronger liquidity, SAMA retains significant capacity to defend the currency if needed, while also supporting investor sentiment and the Kingdom’s sovereign credit profile.

The reserve growth also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader economic diversification strategy under Vision 2030. By strengthening fiscal and monetary buffers, the Kingdom enhances its ability to withstand global volatility, manage borrowing costs, and continue funding large-scale transformation projects.