Introduction to the growth of the Saudi labor market
In a strong indicator of the dynamism and growth of the Saudi Arabian labor market, the latest data from the General Authority for Statistics reveals figures reflecting positive economic transformations. The total number of active workers covered by social insurance in both the public and private sectors reached approximately 13.67 million by the end of the fourth quarter of 2025. These figures reflect the success of economic policies aimed at expanding participation in the labor market and providing a comprehensive social safety net.
Historical context and development of social insurance
Historically, the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) in Saudi Arabia has undergone fundamental developments, most notably the decision to merge the Public Pension Agency into GOSI. This strategic decision contributed to unifying efforts, reducing operational costs, and creating a unified and sustainable insurance umbrella serving all employees in the public and private sectors. These steps align with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 , which seeks to build a vibrant society and a thriving economy by empowering national talent and attracting global expertise.
Subscriber distribution: Saudis and residents
According to statistical details, the number of Saudi nationals actively employed reached approximately 3.1 million, representing 23% of the total registered workforce. This figure highlights the success of Saudization programs (Nitaqat) and government initiatives in integrating citizens into the labor market. In contrast, the number of foreign workers reached approximately 10.6 million (77%), reflecting the scale of mega-projects and infrastructure development, which require a large number of expatriate workers to support rapid development.
The private sector is leading the way in employment
One of the most significant economic indicators in this report is the private sector's acquisition of the largest share of subscribers, accounting for 95% of the total, or 13.01 million subscribers. Meanwhile, the number of subscribers in the public sector remained stable at 651,200. This shift underscores the success of the government's strategy to make the private sector the primary driver of the economy and job creation, thereby reducing reliance on government employment.
Riyadh leads the regional economic scene
Geographically, the Riyadh region accounted for the lion's share, representing 50% of total subscribers, with approximately 6.9 million subscribers. This concentration stems from the strategic importance of the capital, the program to attract regional headquarters for international companies, and the major projects being implemented by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. The Eastern Province followed with 2.5 million subscribers (due to the concentration of oil and petrochemical industries), and then the Makkah region with approximately 2.2 million subscribers.
Labor market dynamics: Discontinuing subscription
Data indicated that approximately 192,000 people ceased their social insurance subscriptions during the fourth quarter of 2025. Saudis comprised 52% of this group (99,900 subscribers), while expatriates accounted for 92,100 (48%). These figures are considered normal in any dynamic economy, reflecting labor turnover, job changes, retirements, or the departure of some expatriate workers after the expiration of their contracts, thus confirming the flexibility and adaptability of the Saudi labor market.
Importance and expected impact
At the local and regional levels, these statistics confirm that Saudi Arabia possesses one of the most stable and attractive labor markets in the Middle East. The increasing number of social security subscribers translates into greater purchasing power, improved living standards, and enhanced financial stability for families, which positively impacts GDP and strengthens the confidence of both local and international investors in the Saudi economy.
