HRDF: 329,000 Saudis Employed in H1 2026, Up 23%

The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) supported the employment of 329,000 Saudi citizens in the local labor market during the first half of 2026, a 23% increase compared with the same period of 2025.

The fund said its total direct financial support to individuals and establishments — delivered through training, empowerment, and career-guidance programs — reached about SAR 4.9 billion during the first six months of the year. More than 1.69 million Saudi citizens benefited from the fund's services and programs over the same period.

On the business side, around 171,000 establishments took advantage of HRDF programs in the first half of 2026, most of them small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which continue to be a key focus of national employment support.

Why it matters

The figures point to steady momentum in Saudization and job creation, in line with the goals of رؤية السعودية 2030 to raise Saudi participation in the private sector and support businesses of all sizes. For job seekers, the fund's training, empowerment, and career-guidance services remain accessible through official electronic channels, typically authenticated via نفاذ for government platforms.

Broader labor market indicators — including unemployment, labor force participation, and sectoral employment — are published in official quarterly statistics, with first-quarter 2026 data already available. HRDF's public dashboards list the 2026 employment and support figures as current, with detailed periodic reports issued through its official channels.

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