Saudi Unemployment Rate Declines To Historic Low Of 6.3% Amid Labour Market Progress

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced a significant drop in the unemployment rate among Saudis, reaching an unprecedented low of 6.3%. This achievement is attributed to various national programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing the labour market and empowering the local workforce. The ministry highlighted that this progress aligns with the Kingdom's broader development goals across multiple sectors.

Saudi Arabia has already surpassed its Vision 2030 goal of reducing unemployment to 7%, achieving this milestone six years ahead of schedule. The country is now working towards a revised target of 5%, following recent directives and updates. This progress reflects the Kingdom's commitment to economic development and workforce empowerment.

The participation of Saudi women in the labour market has reached record levels, with their unemployment rate dropping to a historic low of 10.5%. This marks a decrease from 11.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024, showing a year-on-year reduction of 3.7 percentage points. These figures highlight the success of initiatives aimed at empowering women economically and creating supportive work environments.

The ministry stated: "Localization and support programs provided to the private sector have led to a new record in the number of Saudis employed in the sector, reaching 2.48 million men and women." The Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf) played a crucial role by facilitating employment for 143,000 Saudi citizens during the first quarter of 2025.

The total amount disbursed for training, empowerment, and mentoring programs reached approximately SAR1.83 billion. These efforts are part of the National Labor Market Strategy adopted by the ministry, which aims to develop policies and regulations, empower the national workforce, and enhance partnerships with private sector stakeholders.

The ministry emphasized its dedication to providing quality job opportunities that align with educational outputs and meet labour market demands. These efforts support Saudi Vision 2030's goals of developing human capital and increasing Saudis' contribution to the national economy.

With inputs from SPA