The social protection sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a radical transformation in line with the goals of Vision 2030. The social security system is no longer merely a traditional financial safety net, but has evolved into an integrated system aimed at moving beneficiaries from a state of dependency to one of productivity and economic independence. This development comes as part of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development's efforts to enhance quality of life and ensure that support reaches those who truly need it efficiently and equitably.
A qualitative leap in empowerment figures
In the context of this strategic transformation, the social security empowerment system has achieved tangible accomplishments, as recent statistics revealed the system's success in empowering nearly 100,000 beneficiaries through various pathways until the end of November 2025. These figures go beyond being mere statistics, reflecting success stories of families who have moved from total dependence on direct support to active participation in the labor market.
The empowerment pathways have varied to include:
- The economic track: It captured the largest share by empowering more than 95,000 beneficiaries, reflecting the success of employment programs and support for small projects.
- Training and qualification track: More than 83,000 beneficiaries benefited from it, as they were provided with the skills necessary to keep pace with the evolving demands of the labor market.
- Supporting pathways: These included thousands of beneficiaries through job fairs and strategic partnerships.
Strategic partnerships that enhance the protection system
Recognizing the importance of integrated work, the ministry expanded its partnerships with the public, private, and non-profit sectors to provide a comprehensive package of services:
- The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF): plays a pivotal role in providing training and employment opportunities.
- Social Development Bank: Provides financing solutions for productive projects for families receiving social security benefits, with exemptions from administrative fees.
- Private sector: Quality initiatives emerged, such as the Ministry’s cooperation with Almarai Company to support infant formula, and other initiatives including exemption from fees for “Qiyas” tests and health specialties, in addition to developmental housing services in partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.
Digital transformation and facilitating access to services
The development was not limited to the quality of services, but also included the mechanisms for delivering them. The "Social Support and Protection Platform" brought about a qualitative leap in the beneficiary experience, as it enabled:
- Unified registration and issuance of the guarantee certificate electronically.
- Submitting and following up on objections and complaints without the need to visit branches.
- Use the "Support Calculator" to accurately determine the estimated entitlement amount.
- Activating "digital inclusion" which proactively serves the elderly and people with disabilities, where the ministry automatically completes their transactions in the absence of a technically qualified caregiver.
Eligibility criteria: accuracy and fairness
The revised system is based on the fundamental principle of "income" as the primary criterion for eligibility, moving beyond outdated social classifications (such as social status). This criterion aims to include new categories of low-income individuals, including employees whose salaries fall below the eligibility threshold.
Current financial constraints include:
- The calculated family income must be less than the minimum limit for pension eligibility (1320 riyals for the head of household, and 660 riyals for each dependent).
- Permanent residency in the Kingdom (with specific exceptions for humanitarian cases, wives of citizens, and children of widows).
- Transparency in disclosing income and assets to ensure that support is directed to the most needy groups.
In conclusion, this continuous expansion of social security services and its accompanying empowerment programs represents a fundamental pillar in the social infrastructure of the Kingdom, contributing to strengthening social stability and driving economic development by transforming idle human energies into productive and effective elements.
