Youth Employment Rises Under Vision 2030

Employment opportunities for young Saudis have grown notably under Saudi Vision 2030, with graduate hiring and labour-market participation rising across recent years,

The share of higher-education graduates who entered the workforce within six months of finishing their studies reached 44.43% in 2024, a sharp jump from just 13.3% in 2016. Post-graduation employment for those with vocational and technical training stood higher still at 47.81%.

Broader participation has also expanded. The employment-to-population rate for Saudis aged 18 to 24 climbed from 10% in 2015 to 33% in 2025, while employment among Saudis aged 15 to 24 reached 36.2%.

Progress with room to grow

Despite these gains, youth unemployment remains above the national rate, standing at 16.8% against the 15% target set for 2030. This shows steady improvement but signals that more work is needed to close the remaining gap.

The main pathways into work for young Saudis continue to be private-sector hiring, vocational training programs, and graduate transition schemes. These efforts are closely tied to Saudisation policies, startup development, and expanding skills across the workforce.

For families across Riyadh, Jeddah, and other cities, the trend points to widening options for graduates and school leavers entering the job market. As the private sector takes on a larger share of new hires, young Saudis are finding more routes into stable careers, a shift that carries direct benefits for households and local communities.

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