The latest data released by the General Authority for Statistics in Saudi Arabia shows that the unemployment rate among Saudis reached 7.5% during the third quarter of 2025. These figures indicate a slight increase of 0.7 percentage points compared to the second quarter of the same year, while registering an annual decrease of 0.3 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024, reflecting the government's continued efforts to regulate the labor market in line with national objectives.
Labor market context and Vision 2030
These statistics come at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing significant economic activity aimed at achieving the goals of Vision 2030, which places reducing unemployment rates among its top economic and social priorities. Despite the natural quarterly fluctuations in these rates, the annual decline confirms the effectiveness of structural reforms in the labor market, Saudization programs, and support for the private sector to become the primary driver of employment.
According to labor force survey estimates, the overall unemployment rate (for Saudis and non-Saudis) stabilized at 3.4% in the third quarter of 2025, registering a slight increase of 0.2 percentage points compared to the previous quarter, but it decreased annually by 0.3 percentage points, indicating the attractiveness of the Saudi market for talent and the continued flow of investments.
Workforce indicators details
The detailed data revealed a disparity in performance indicators among different segments of society, with the results being as follows:
- Labor force participation: The overall participation rate (for Saudis and non-Saudis) reached 66.9%, registering an annual increase of 0.3 percentage points.
- Saudi employment rate: The percentage of employed Saudis in the total population decreased to 45.3%, an annual decline of 2.1 percentage points.
- Saudi participation: The Saudi labor force participation rate was 49.0%, a year-on-year decrease of 2.5 percentage points compared to last year.
Unemployment rates by gender and age
The indicators revealed a gender gap in unemployment rates, with the unemployment rate for Saudi women rising by 0.8 percentage points to 12.1%, while their labor force participation rate fell to 33.7%. In contrast, the unemployment rate among Saudi men rose to 5%, despite their labor force participation rate increasing to 64.3%.
Regarding the youth demographic (15-24 years old), the most dynamic group, the results revealed clear challenges, with the unemployment rate among young Saudi women reaching 24.2% and among young men reaching 13.6%. These figures highlight the importance of intensifying training programs that lead to employment and aligning educational outcomes with the evolving needs of the market.
The behavior of job seekers and the private sector
Among the positive indicators noted in the report is the significant shift in the work culture of Saudis, with 95.3% of the unemployed expressing their willingness to accept job offers in the private sector . This figure reflects the success of government initiatives in improving the work environment in the private sector and making it a preferred option for citizens.
Regarding job search methods, the methods used varied with an average of 4 methods per job seeker, with the "direct application to employers" method topping the list at 73.3%, followed by the use of the unified national employment platform (Jadarat) at 59.4%, which highlights the growing awareness of modern and digital employment tools.
