The latest official data released by the General Authority for Statistics and the National Information Center in Saudi Arabia reveals that the total number of non-Saudi domestic workers has reached a record high of approximately 4.13 million. The figures show a significant gender imbalance, with males comprising the majority of this vital sector at around 2.72 million, compared to 1.4 million females, reflecting the nature of domestic and service needs in the Saudi market.
Drivers take center stage
In terms of the most in-demand professions, the "private driver" occupation has reinforced the male dominance of the overall domestic worker workforce. According to data, approximately 1.779 million drivers work in this profession alone, with males constituting the vast majority at around 1.77 million, while the number of female drivers in this profession did not exceed 443. This large number reflects the continued reliance of Saudi families on private drivers to meet their daily logistical and transportation needs, despite the developments witnessed in the public transportation sector and delivery applications.
Domestic Service and Care Sector
On the other hand, the domestic worker and cleaning sector led the domestic workforce in terms of total numbers (male and female), with approximately 2.26 million workers. As expected in this sector, the balance tipped in favor of women, numbering 1.4 million, compared to approximately 865,670 men. This category is considered the backbone of the domestic labor sector, given the pivotal role they play in managing daily household affairs.
Diversity of professions and specialized fields
The statistics were not limited to traditional professions but also included specialized fields reflecting the diversity of lifestyles in the Kingdom. The profession of "housekeeper" recorded 5,087 workers, with a relatively even distribution (2,247 males and 2,840 females). The number of cooks and food servers reached approximately 53,270, with a clear male dominance in this sector.
Regarding outdoor and facility-related occupations, the data showed the presence of approximately 21,300 guards for houses, buildings and rest areas, and 5,555 home farmers, almost all of whom were male, in addition to 1,439 tailors and seamstresses working inside homes.
Healthcare and education indicators
The statistical data reveals a notable growth in the home care and education sector, with the number of home-based nurses and healthcare workers reaching approximately 1,543. This indicates a growing interest in home healthcare for the elderly and those with special needs. In the educational and pedagogical field, the number of private tutors and home-based caregivers reached 1,328, with women constituting the vast majority in these professions that require direct interaction with children.
Economic and regulatory context
These figures come amidst significant transformations in the Saudi labor market, where the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is continuously working to regulate the domestic worker sector through the "Musaned" platform and wage protection programs. These efforts aim to safeguard the rights of all contractual parties, improve the work environment, and ensure the recruitment of qualified workers who contribute to raising the quality of life for Saudi and resident families.
These figures also reveal important economic and social implications; the presence of this number of domestic workers is a contributing factor to enabling Saudi women to engage in the labor market, as domestic workers contribute to easing daily burdens, allowing female citizens to devote themselves to their jobs and contribute to economic development in accordance with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
