Saudi Unemployment Falls to 6.4% in Q1 2026

New official figures show the unemployment rate among Saudi nationals aged 15 and above fell to 6.4% in the first quarter of 2026, keeping the Kingdom well below the 7% target set under Saudi Vision 2030. Overall unemployment across the total population, including non-Saudis, stood at around 3.1%.

The data point to continued gains for Saudi women in the labor market. Female labor-force participation among Saudi nationals reached 33.9% in Q1 2026, while the female employment-to-population ratio was 30.8%. Unemployment among Saudi women was 9.0%, close to historic lows, while unemployment among Saudi men was 4.9%.

These results mark a significant shift from earlier baselines. Saudi-national unemployment has been reduced from 11.6% to around 7% by late 2024, and now to 6.4%. Female participation has nearly doubled from roughly 17% in the mid-2010s to the mid-30s percent range, comfortably above the original Vision 2030 goal of 30%.

Female participation eased slightly from a 2025 peak of about 36% to roughly 34% in early 2026, but remains well ahead of target. Overall labor-force participation across the total population was 67.2%, a small dip from 67.4%, while Saudi-national participation stood at about 49%.

Why it matters

For residents and job seekers across Riyadh, Jeddah, and other cities, the numbers reflect a broadening labor market driven by reforms under Vision 2030. Rising female participation and falling unemployment signal expanding opportunities across sectors, alongside a workforce that continues to grow and diversify.

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