Saudi Arabia’s economy grew at a pace of 2.2% in 2018, vs. a decline of 0.7% in 2017, buoyed by strong oil sector growth and recovering from a contraction in 2017 when the economy was hurt by weak oil prices and austerity measures, government data showed on Thursday. The oil sector grew 2.85% in 2018, from a contraction in 2017, while the non-oil sector grew 2.05%. The government did not break down the fourth-quarter data, but full-year growth figures suggested economic growth accelerated in the last quarter. Saudi officials have predicted a gradual acceleration in growth of the non-oil economy in 2019 as the government decided to boost spending. Last month Riyadh released a state budget for 2019 that would increase spending by 7% from 2018 actual level. Investment spending and bonuses for state employees in the budget could revive the private sector.