Number of Saudi women employed in the private sector increased by 84% from 2018 to 2024

By: Abeer Sufyani

The International Monetary Fund, following Article IV consultations with the Kingdom, confirmed significant positive changes in the Saudi labor market, highlighting the growth in private sector employment and the decline in unemployment rates to historic levels. The report also showed figures reflecting the success of Saudi women’s empowerment programs. According to the report, the percentage of Saudi female employees increased from the end of 2018 to the end of 2024 in the private sector by 84%, while it increased by 26% in the public sector. This reflects the success of reforms and programs aimed at empowering women, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Saudi women’s participation in the labor market reached 36%. The indicator of women’s participation in the labor market is one of the most prominent indicators included in the Vision document, which aimed to raise women’s participation to 30% by 2030. With the implementation of the economic and social reforms undertaken by the Kingdom, their participation in the labor market increased, achieving the target ten years ahead of schedule in 2020, prompting an increase from 30% to 40% by 2030.

On the other hand, the unemployment rate among females in the Kingdom decreased from 22.5% in 2021 to 11.9% by the end of 2024. Saudi women also accounted for 65% of the total Saudis entering the labor market during the last three years, with a total of The number is 390,823 Saudi women.

The unemployment rate indicator is considered one of the most prominent indicators of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, exceeding its target and marking a major milestone in the Vision’s series of achievements. The unemployment rate among Saudis decreased from 11% in 2021 to 7% by the end of 2024, achieving the Vision’s first target before reducing it to 5% by 2030.

As part of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s efforts to empower Saudi women, it has adopted a leadership training and mentoring initiative by increasing the percentage of women in middle and senior leadership positions. This initiative aims to increase women’s participation in the labor market by training female cadres in various sectors, both in the public and private sectors.