Saudi Arabia: jobs and pay

What is the youth unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia?

Unemployment among young Saudi women aged 15 to 24 was 19.5% in the second quarter of 2026, and among young Saudi men 13.0%, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Labor Force Survey. Both rates fell from the first quarter, by 0.9 and 0.8 percentage points. Only 16.2% of young Saudi women and 31.2% of young Saudi men were in the labour force.

The World Bank puts unemployment for all residents aged 15 to 24 at 10.0% in 2025, using an International Labour Organization modelled estimate. The GASTAT rates cover Saudi nationals only, while the World Bank figure also counts non-Saudis.

Official sources: GASTAT: labor market statistics, Q2 2026 · World Bank: youth unemployment, Saudi Arabia (ILO modelled estimate)

How many Saudi women work?

33.7% of Saudi women aged 15 and over were in the labour force in the second quarter of 2026, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Labor Force Survey. Their unemployment rate was 9.6%, up 0.6 percentage points from the first quarter, and 30.5% of Saudi women were employed. For Saudi men, participation was 63.9% and unemployment 4.8%.

The participation rate counts people working or looking for work. Among all residents, Saudi and non-Saudi, female participation was 34.0%. GOSI records show 1,284,588 Saudi women in jobs covered by social insurance at the end of June 2026, the register-based labour statistics show.

Official sources: GASTAT: labor market statistics, Q2 2026 · GASTAT: register-based labour market statistics, Q2 2026

What is Saudi Arabia's labour force participation rate?

Saudi Arabia's overall labour force participation rate was 67.2% in the second quarter of 2026, unchanged from the first quarter and up 1.0 percentage point from a year earlier, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Among Saudi nationals it was 48.7%, and among non-Saudis 82.2%. The employment-to-population ratio was 65.2% overall and 45.5% for Saudis.

The participation rate is the share of people aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work. The rate for non-Saudis is high because most foreign residents come to Saudi Arabia to work. Overall unemployment was 3.0%.

Official sources: GASTAT: labor market statistics, Q2 2026

How many Saudis work in the private sector?

2,652,023 Saudi nationals worked in the private sector at the end of June 2026, against 10,696,518 non-Saudis, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), using records of the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI). Saudis make up about one in five private sector employees. Another 1,088,997 Saudis worked under the civil service rules in government.

The number of Saudis registered with GOSI rose to 3,167,168 from 3,110,474 at the end of March 2026. The records exclude the military and security sectors and Saudis running their own businesses outside social insurance, such as app-based delivery drivers.

Official sources: GASTAT: register-based labour market statistics, Q2 2026

How do unemployed Saudis look for work?

76.8% of unemployed Saudis applied directly to employers in the second quarter of 2026, and 53.5% used the Unified National Employment Platform, Jadarat, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Labor Force Survey. 48.9% posted or updated CVs on professional social media. Jobseekers used three active search methods on average.

96.7% of unemployed Saudis said they would accept a private sector job. 62.2% of unemployed Saudi women and 46.7% of men would accept a commute of up to one hour. Saudi unemployment was 6.5% in the quarter, up 0.1 percentage point from the first quarter.

Official sources: GASTAT: labor market statistics, Q2 2026

What is Saudi Arabia's minimum wage?

The ILO puts the statutory minimum wage in Saudi Arabia at 4,000 SAR a month (about $1,067) in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2013.

How much do workers in Saudi Arabia earn on average?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in Saudi Arabia was $1,799 a month in 2022. That is the highest since at least 2012. Worldwide: 27th of 98.

How high is unemployment in Saudi Arabia?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia was 3.0% in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 8.3%; Saudi Arabia is 16th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 136th highest.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Saudi Arabia at 10.0% in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 18.3%, and Saudi Arabia placed 15th highest of 21. Worldwide: 106th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Saudi Arabia?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Saudi Arabia was 65.1%, according to the ILO. The peak was 65.3% in 2023 and the low 48.1% in 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 45.2%, and Saudi Arabia placed 7th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 57th of 174.

How many women in Saudi Arabia are working or looking for work?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in Saudi Arabia at 33.6% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 34.3%; its low point was 2009, at 16.4%. It is 7th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 24.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 152nd highest.

What share of adults in Saudi Arabia have a job?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Saudi Arabia at 63.1% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 40.0%; Saudi Arabia is 7th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 47th of 174.

How many workers in Saudi Arabia are self-employed or family workers?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Saudi Arabia was 1.7% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 4.3%; its low point was 2023, at 1.6%. It is 18th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 21.6%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 171st highest.

How many people in Saudi Arabia are employees?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Saudi Arabia at 94.5% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 97.4%; its low point was 2021, at 93.4%. It is 6th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 74.1%. Worldwide: 7th of 174.