Human Resources Development Fund: 562,000 Saudis to be employed by 2025
In a move reflecting the success of localization strategies and the empowerment of Saudi nationals, the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) record-breaking figures for 2025. The Fund's various programs and initiatives contributed to the employment of more than 562,000 Saudi citizens in private sector establishments. This figure represents a remarkable 29% increase compared to 2024, confirming the accelerated pace of employment and the stability of the Saudi labor market.
Keeping pace with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
These exceptional results are a culmination of efforts to align with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which prioritizes human capital development. These figures further strengthen national indicators related to reducing unemployment rates and increasing citizen participation in the workforce, particularly for Saudi women, who have witnessed significant empowerment in recent years.
This achievement is tangible evidence of the efficiency of the partnership between the public and private sectors, as the Fund seeks to raise the efficiency of the labor market by aligning education outputs with the evolving needs of the market.
Supporting small and medium enterprises
Statistics show a significant expansion in the fund's beneficiary base, with the number of beneficiary establishments rising to more than 226,000 across the Kingdom, representing a growth of 27%. Notably, small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for approximately 94% of the total beneficiary establishments.
This focus has important economic implications, as small and medium enterprises are the main driver of economic growth in emerging economies, and a key source of job creation and innovation, which directly contributes to diversifying the economic base and increasing non-oil GDP.
8 billion riyals to support training and empowerment
The fund's role was not limited to direct employment; it also included significant investment in capacity building. The fund revealed that total expenditures on training, empowerment, and mentorship support programs during 2025 exceeded 8.296 billion riyals . More than two million citizens benefited from these programs, contributing to enhancing their professional readiness and equipping them with the skills needed for promising sectors.
In a related context, 45 quality training agreements linked to employment were signed, aimed at bridging the skills gap in vital and future sectors, thus ensuring job sustainability and career development for Saudis.
Strategic shift to maximize impact
Commenting on these achievements, His Excellency the Director General of the Human Resources Development Fund, Mr. Turki bin Abdullah Al-Jawini, affirmed that these qualitative leaps embody the generous support that the wise leadership gives to the human resources system.
Al-Juwayni noted that the continued growth reflects the success of the Fund's strategic transformation , which aims to maximize its economic and social impact and solidify its position as a cornerstone in developing national capabilities. He added that the Fund continues to develop its digital infrastructure and effective partnerships to ensure the competitiveness of Saudi citizens both locally and globally, and to build a diversified and sustainable knowledge-based economy.
