The monthly statistical bulletin issued by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) revealed the latest data related to cash liquidity in the Kingdom, as the figures showed a decrease in cash circulating outside Saudi banks, recording 239.5 billion riyals at the end of November 2025. This figure comes compared to 240.5 billion riyals in the previous month of October, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.4% on a monthly basis, while it recorded an increase of 5.3% on an annual basis, indicating growth in overall economic activity compared to last year.
Details of circulating cash and cash liquidity
The report details that total currency in circulation outside the central bank rose to SAR 261.55 billion in November 2025, compared to SAR 260.62 billion in October and SAR 248.18 billion in November 2024. These figures represent a monthly increase of 0.35% and a notable annual growth of 5.3%. These indicators demonstrate the stability of the monetary base and the central bank's ability to manage liquidity in accordance with market demands.
Regarding cash held by banks, SAMA data showed that Saudi banks strengthened their cash liquidity during November 2025, recording about 22 billion riyals, compared to 20 billion riyals in the previous month, and 21.5 billion riyals in the same period of 2024. This increase reflects the strength of the banking sector and its readiness to finance projects and meet withdrawal and credit demands.
The context of digital transformation and Vision 2030
These figures cannot be interpreted in isolation from the broader economic context of Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030. The slight fluctuations in cash circulating outside banks (monthly decreases versus annual increases) reflect the gradual and ongoing shift towards digital payments. The Financial Sector Development Program aims to reduce reliance on cash and increase the percentage of non-cash transactions to 70% by 2030. Therefore, any decline in cash circulating outside banks can be partly attributed to the increased use of point-of-sale terminals, e-commerce, and mobile payments, which have witnessed tremendous growth in recent years.
Economic importance and future indicators
This data is of paramount importance to economic analysts and investors, as the volume of currency in circulation is a vital indicator of consumer behavior, inflation rates, and business activity. The 5.3% annual increase confirms that the Saudi economy continues to experience strong momentum and growth in aggregate demand, despite the move towards digitalization. Furthermore, the increase in cash held by banks enhances financial stability and provides banks with greater flexibility in managing their assets and liabilities.
In conclusion, the November 2025 data shows a delicate balance between maintaining sufficient cash liquidity to meet traditional market needs, and moving forward with the digital transformation projects led by SAMA with high efficiency, which enhances the Kingdom’s position as a leading financial center in the region.
