Saudi Private Sector Hits Record High with 2.48 Million Nationals Employed

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has reached a historic milestone in its labor market reform journey, with 2.48 million Saudi nationals now working in the private sector—the highest figure ever recorded—according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

This achievement comes as part of broader efforts to enhance employment opportunities for citizens under Vision 2030. The Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) played a key role, helping 143,000 Saudis secure private-sector jobs in the first quarter of 2025 alone. During the same period, over SR1.83 billion was invested in training, empowerment programs, and job-readiness initiatives.

These developments have significantly improved employment metrics across the Kingdom. The national unemployment rate among Saudis fell to 6.3% in Q1 2025—its lowest level since official records began.

“This remarkable progress is a testament to the Kingdom’s development momentum and a key step toward realizing the goals of Vision 2030,” the ministry stated. “Surpassing the 7% unemployment target six years ahead of schedule underscores our commitment to sustainable labor reform. We now set our sights on reaching 5%.”

A standout area of growth has been female labor force participation. The unemployment rate among Saudi women declined to 10.5% in Q1 2025, down from 11.9% in the previous quarter and 14.2% in Q1 2024—a nearly 4-point year-on-year drop.

The ministry credited this positive trend to targeted initiatives supporting women’s economic empowerment, improved workplace safety standards, and increased opportunities for career advancement.