Saudi Youth Unemployment Falls Under Vision 2030

Youth unemployment in Saudi Arabia has fallen significantly since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, dropping from around the high‑20s percent range for ages 15–24 in 2016 to the mid‑ to high‑teens by 2024,

The figures show Saudi youth unemployment (ages 15–24) at roughly 14–15% in 2024, down from about 17% a year earlier, while overall Saudi unemployment fell to 7.0% — meeting the headline Vision 2030 target ahead of its 2030 deadline. Quarterly surveys through 2025 confirm a clear multi‑year downward trend, though youth unemployment still runs higher than the national average and fluctuates by quarter, gender and age group.

Why the numbers are shifting

The improvement is driven mainly by Saudi nationals benefiting from Vision 2030 programmes that expand private‑sector jobs, entrepreneurship and skills training. Saudization (Nitaqat) policies require many private firms to hire a minimum share of Saudi citizens, especially in retail, hospitality, transport and professional services, opening more opportunities for younger Saudis.

Contract management, job matching and Saudization compliance for Saudi private‑sector employees are handled largely through the قوى platform, accessed via verified national digital identity. Public‑sector recruitment, scholarships and training programmes are commonly reached through أبشر and related government digital channels for account creation, identity verification and appointment booking.

Recent releases in 2025 and 2026 show Saudi male youth unemployment falling into low double digits, while Saudi female youth unemployment has declined from very high levels but remains substantially higher than for males — even as female participation continues to rise. The national statistics authority publishes these indicators quarterly as part of ongoing Vision 2030 performance tracking, giving job seekers and employers a regular measure of progress in the labour market.

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