Human Resources 2025: Reduce unemployment to 7.5% and employ 2.5 million Saudis
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia achieved unprecedented qualitative leaps in the labor market and social development sector during 2025, as the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced a series of record numbers that reflect the success of the objectives of “Vision 2030” in restructuring the national economy and relying on national competencies.
Historical figures in localization and unemployment
In the context of the major economic transformations underway in the Kingdom, well-planned Saudization strategies have successfully increased the number of Saudis working in the private sector to 2.5 million . This significant rise has directly contributed to reducing the unemployment rate to a historic low of 7.5% , an achievement that reflects the strength of the Saudi economy and its ability to generate jobs despite global economic challenges.
The localization efforts were not limited to quantitative figures; the Ministry also focused on "qualitative localization," issuing more than 30 decisions aimed at localizing 600 specialized professions in vital sectors such as engineering, pharmacy, dentistry, and accounting. These decisions led to significant increases in the participation of Saudis in these professions, ranging from 100% to 300%, thus enhancing the Kingdom's professional and economic security.
Modern work patterns: flexibility and the future
In line with global shifts in employment patterns, the Kingdom has strengthened the concepts of "flexible work" and "freelance work." Official data indicates that more than 700,000 flexible work contracts have been documented through the Ministry's platforms, providing ample opportunities for those seeking additional income or part-time employment. Simultaneously, the "freelance" model has attracted more than 430,000 active beneficiaries, while 200,000 citizens have joined the ranks of remote workers, reflecting the flexibility of Saudi legislation in accommodating all segments of society in the labor market.
Digital transformation and rights protection
Digital transformation is a cornerstone of these achievements, with the “Qiwa” platform playing a pivotal role in regulating contractual relationships, registering over 12 million documented contracts serving approximately 2.9 million establishments. Furthering the principle of swift justice, the Ministry launched the “Documented Employment Contract as an Enforceable Document” initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, resulting in the documentation of 300,000 enforceable contracts. This ensures the financial and contractual rights of all parties without the need to resort to the courts in many cases.
Regarding domestic workers, improvements to the Musaned platform have contributed to reducing recruitment times by more than 40%, raising beneficiary satisfaction to nearly 96%. Oversight has also been extended to include assessing the professional skills of expatriate workers in 160 countries through the Professional Accreditation Program.
Social empowerment and quality of life
The ministry did not neglect the social aspect, as its development programs enabled nearly 100,000 social security beneficiaries to transition from a state of need to one of productivity and employment. It also paid special attention to people with disabilities, providing financial support to 460,000 beneficiaries, as well as housing and employment solutions that ensure their effective integration into society, in accordance with quality of life standards.
These achievements are supported by rigorous oversight efforts, with field teams carrying out 1.2 million inspection visits, raising the market compliance rate to 93%, which confirms the Kingdom’s determination to create a competitive, fair, and attractive business environment for local and foreign investment.
