Saudi Arabia is witnessing a significant transformation in its labour landscape, with women driving one of the most notable shifts. During the Budget Forum 2026 in Riyadh, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi highlighted that female participation in the workforce has risen to 34.5 per cent—up sharply from 23 per cent in 2019.
This rapid rise reflects the country’s ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive and competitive labour market under Saudi Vision 2030. The minister emphasised that the expanding presence of women across industries signals a stronger, more diverse national economy capable of sustaining long-term growth.
Alongside this milestone, overall private-sector employment among Saudi nationals has reached around 2.5 million. Al-Rajhi attributed this progress to the Ministry’s role across eight Vision 2030 programmes and more than 100 initiatives over 70 per cent of which have already been completed.
The Labour Market Strategy, launched in 2020, has also played a central role in reshaping the workforce. With 92 per cent of its targets achieved, it has driven the unemployment rate among Saudis down to 6.8 per cent in the second quarter of this year—surpassing the Vision 2030 target well ahead of schedule.
Professional localisation has been another catalyst for women’s advancement. More than 30 localisation decisions in fields such as engineering, accounting and pharmacy have expanded opportunities for national professionals, with employment in some specialised roles increasing by as much as 300 per cent.
Al-Rajhi reaffirmed that continued cooperation between public, private and non-profit sectors will be essential in sustaining this momentum. As more women join and thrive in the labour market, Saudi Arabia moves closer to its vision of a vibrant society and a dynamic, future-ready economy.
