The latest data issued by the Saudi Ministry of Commerce in the Business Sector Bulletin revealed a qualitative leap in women's participation in the national economy, as women accounted for 48% of the total existing commercial registrations for establishments by the end of the fourth quarter of 2025. The total number of commercial registrations in the Kingdom reached a record number of 1.86 million registrations, reflecting an escalating economic movement.
The context of economic transformation and women's empowerment
These figures cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of the radical transformations underway in the Saudi economy under the umbrella of Vision 2030. The legislative and regulatory reforms implemented by the government in recent years have significantly removed obstacles to women's entry into the labor market and entrepreneurship. The fact that women now own nearly half of all businesses is a strong indicator of the maturity of the investment environment and the success of empowerment programs aimed at strengthening women's role as key partners in economic development, exceeding previous expectations and establishing a strong presence across various sectors.
Rapid growth in business records and companies
The statistical bulletin revealed that commercial registrations grew by 4.2% during the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter. Looking at the growth over the past five years (2020-2025), existing business registrations grew by 20% to reach 1.26 million. However, the most significant leap was in the corporate sector, where limited liability company registrations grew by a staggering 183% to reach 571,000, while joint-stock company registrations grew by 50% to reach 4,733, indicating a healthy market shift towards sustainable corporate business practices.
Geographical distribution and most attractive sectors
The three main regions maintained their economic dominance, with Riyadh, Makkah, and the Eastern Province accounting for 69% of all new business registrations issued. Riyadh led the way with 45,600 new commercial registrations issued in the fourth quarter, followed by the Eastern Province with 20,000, and Makkah with 19,200.
In terms of sectors, the construction sector led the way with 66,000 commercial registrations, accounting for 53% of all issued registrations. This reflects the construction boom and major projects underway in the Kingdom. Notably, women have a strong presence in this sector, holding 35,000 registrations compared to 40,900 for men. The wholesale and retail trade sector came in second, followed by the manufacturing sector, highlighting the diversity of economic activities and their lack of concentration in a single area.
Young people are leading the economic scene
In a clear indication of the dynamism of Saudi society, data shows that young people dominate the entrepreneurial landscape, owning 55% of all existing business registrations. This figure reinforces positive expectations for the future of the local economy, as young entrepreneurs tend to adopt innovative business models and modern technologies, contributing to the creation of new job opportunities and supporting the non-oil sector.
