Saudi unemployment falls to 6.4% in Q1 2026

The unemployment rate among Saudi nationals fell to 6.4 percent during the first quarter of 2026, covering the period from January to March, The figure marks a decline of 0.8 percentage points compared with the fourth quarter of 2025.

When including both Saudis and non-Saudis, the overall unemployment rate in the Kingdom stood at 3.1 percent, down from 3.5 percent in the previous quarter, a drop of 0.4 percentage points.

The data showed continued gains for Saudi women, whose unemployment rate fell to 9.0 percent, a decrease of 1.3 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2025. Among Saudi men, the rate reached 4.9 percent. The labour force participation rate for Saudi nationals was recorded at 64.2 percent.

Why it matters

The steady decline in joblessness, particularly among women, reflects broader efforts to expand economic participation across the Kingdom under Saudi Vision 2030. Higher participation rates and lower unemployment point to a widening range of job opportunities for residents in cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah.

Labour market indicators are published quarterly, giving residents and job seekers a regular picture of hiring trends. The latest figures suggest a labour market that continues to absorb more Saudi workers while maintaining low overall unemployment across the workforce.

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