Unemployment in Saudi Arabia is expected to decrease to 7.5% by 2025, with record-breaking Saudization figures
In a move reflecting the success of Saudi Arabia's strategic plans within Vision 2030, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development revealed record figures achieved during 2025, demonstrating the radical transformation of the Saudi labor market, which has risen to the ranks of global markets in terms of efficiency and flexibility. These achievements were not a coincidence, but rather the result of years of structural planning and legislative reforms aimed at empowering citizens and enhancing the business environment.
A surge in localization and a historic low in unemployment
The Ministry recorded a new record with the number of Saudis working in the private sector reaching 2.5 million citizens . This figure reflects the growing confidence in national talent and its ability to lead vital sectors. As a result of this rapid growth in employment, the unemployment rate has fallen to an unprecedented low of 7.5% , which is very close to the Vision 2030 targets ahead of schedule. This confirms the strength of the Saudi economy and its ability to create sustainable job opportunities despite global economic challenges.
The ministry did not stop at quantity; it focused on "qualitative localization," issuing more than 30 decisions to localize 600 highly specialized professions in the fields of engineering, pharmacy, dentistry, and accounting. These decisions have led to significant increases in the participation of Saudis in these vital professions, ranging from 100% to 300%, thus strengthening the Kingdom's professional and economic security.
Modern work patterns that keep pace with global changes
Recognizing the importance of keeping pace with global developments in work patterns, the Kingdom has strengthened the concepts of “flexible work” and “freelance work.” These policies have resulted in the Ministry’s platforms documenting more than 700,000 flexible work contracts , providing ample opportunities for students and part-time job seekers. The “freelance” model has also attracted more than 430,000 active beneficiaries, and 200,000 citizens have joined the ranks of remote workers, contributing to reduced operating costs for businesses and increased participation rates for women and residents of remote areas in the labor market.
Digital transformation and the preservation of contractual rights
In terms of digital infrastructure, the “Qiwa” platform continued to achieve phenomenal results, with documented contracts exceeding 12 million , serving approximately 2.9 million establishments. This step is considered a fundamental pillar in preserving the rights of parties and reducing labor disputes.
In a significant shift in the labor legal environment, the Ministry launched the "Documented Employment Contract as an Enforceable Document" initiative in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice. Since October 2025, more than 300,000 enforceable contracts have been documented, meaning that workers and employers can directly obtain their rights through the enforcement courts without having to go through lengthy litigation procedures. This enhances the attractiveness of the labor market for both foreign and domestic investment.
Social welfare and empowerment
The ministry did not neglect its social responsibility, adopting a strategy to transform beneficiaries from recipients of aid to productive members of society. It successfully enabled nearly 100,000 social security beneficiaries to enter the labor market through intensive training and rehabilitation programs. The ministry also paid special attention to people with disabilities, providing financial support to 460,000 beneficiaries, as well as housing and employment solutions that ensure their effective integration into society, including the provision of housing units and support for small individual projects.
These achievements confirm that the Kingdom is moving steadily towards building a strong, flexible, and sustainable labor market that is based on national competencies and benefits from global best practices.
