Saudi Education: 27 million volunteer hours and billions in economic value
In a national achievement reflecting the profound societal transformation underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Education revealed record-breaking figures achieved by the education system in the field of volunteer work, with total volunteer hours exceeding 27 million. This announcement coincides with the celebration of Saudi and International Volunteer Day, observed on December 5, 2025, underscoring the success of strategic plans in integrating the concepts of giving and social responsibility within the educational environment.
Volunteering and the Kingdom's Vision 2030: A Strategic Context
These figures cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which has set an ambitious goal of reaching one million volunteers annually. The Ministry of Education is the primary contributor to achieving this objective, given its vast human resources comprised of millions of students and educational staff. Over the past years, the Ministry has worked to institutionalize volunteer work, transforming it from individual initiatives into a structured, institutional effort that serves sustainable development and promotes the values of good citizenship.
Figures reflecting the scale of the economic and social impact
Official ministry statistics revealed that this year saw the provision of over 105,000 volunteer opportunities across various fields, including education, the environment, health, and community development. More than 1.559 million volunteers participated in these opportunities (including repeat volunteers), reflecting an unprecedented level of engagement from the younger generation in community service.
From an economic perspective, the ministry estimated the value of these volunteer hours at over 1.4 billion Saudi riyals. This figure is a vital indicator of operational efficiency and resource conservation, as volunteers contribute to filling service gaps and providing genuine support to governmental and non-profit sectors, thus enhancing the efficiency of government spending and achieving a tangible return on investment in human capital.
Saudi Scouts: A leading model of giving
In a related context, the Saudi Scouts played a prominent role as one of the most important arms of field volunteer work. The Scouts maintained their strong presence with the participation of more than 3,000 scouts and leaders serving pilgrims during the Hajj season, setting a commendable example in organization and guidance. Internationally, the Saudi Scouts strengthened their global standing by supporting the "Messengers of Peace" initiative with contributions exceeding $50 million, confirming that Saudi volunteering carries a universal humanitarian message that transcends geographical boundaries to spread the values of tolerance and coexistence.
The importance of the event and its future impact
The fact that education has surpassed 27 million volunteer hours is not just a statistic; it reflects the maturity of the volunteer experience in the Kingdom. This movement is expected to contribute to graduating a generation equipped with strong soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving—skills students acquire outside the classroom through direct engagement with community needs. These achievements confirm that education has become a national platform for cultivating future leaders who will bear the responsibility of continuing the journey of building and development.
