Supporting the empowerment of Saudi women in the labor market
The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) announced its latest statistics for the “Qurrah” program, which supports childcare for working women. It revealed that the number of children benefiting from the support reached 1,945 during the fourth quarter of 2025. This support comes within the framework of national initiatives aimed at enhancing the participation of Saudi women in the labor market and empowering them economically, by alleviating the financial burdens related to childcare and providing a supportive and stable work environment.
General context: The “Qurrah” program as one of the objectives of Vision 2030
The Qurrah program is one of the key pillars launched by the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, specifically those related to increasing women's participation in the workforce. The program was launched with a clear objective: to help working mothers in the private sector balance their professional and family responsibilities. By covering a portion of the costs of registering their children at approved childcare centers, the program removes one of the biggest obstacles Saudi women faced when entering the workforce, directly contributing to their job stability and professional growth.
Details of support statistics and their geographical distribution
Data released by the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) showed that three main regions received the largest share of support, accounting for 79.4% of all beneficiaries. The details are as follows:
- Riyadh region: It topped the list in first place, with the number of beneficiary children reaching 831 children, which represents about 42.7% of the total.
- The Eastern Region: It came in second place with a total of 426 beneficiary children, representing approximately 21.9%, reflecting the significant economic and industrial activity in the region and the increased job opportunities available to women.
- Makkah Region: It came in third place with support for 288 children.
The remaining numbers were distributed across other regions, including Madinah (106 children), Asir (81 children), as well as the regions of Qassim, Hail, the Northern Borders, Najran, Tabuk, Jazan, Al-Baha, and Al-Jawf, in varying proportions.
The importance and expected impact of the initiative
The impact of the Qurrah program extends beyond the financial sphere to encompass broader social and economic dimensions. Locally, the program contributes to family stability by providing safe and organized childcare, giving working women peace of mind to focus on their careers. Economically, increased female participation leads to higher household incomes, enhanced purchasing power, and a boost to economic growth. The program also incentivizes the childcare sector to expand and improve its services, creating new job opportunities in this vital field. Internationally, these initiatives reinforce the Kingdom's position as a leader in women's empowerment and underscore its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to gender equality and inclusive economic growth.
