Private Sector Growth and Workforce Development in Saudi Arabia
Over the past five years, Saudi Arabia’s private sector has experienced significant growth, with salaries for Saudi employees increasing by 45%. The number of Saudi nationals employed in the sector has risen to 2.4 million, including 361,000 first-time entrants into the workforce. The total number of private sector employees is now approximately 12.1 million, according to the National Labor Observatory.
Key Achievements in Employment and Salaries
1. Citizen Employment in the Private Sector:
•The private sector now accounts for 50.5% of citizen employment, a testament to the success of initiatives aimed at increasing Saudi participation in the workforce.
•Saudis in high-skill roles have reached 39.6%, reflecting efforts to prioritise qualitative localisation.
2. Salary Growth for Advanced Degree Holders:
•Master’s Degree Holders: Male employees earn an average of 23,900 SAR, while female employees earn 13,940 SAR.
•Doctoral Degree Holders: Male employees receive approximately 30,449 SAR, while female employees earn 24,373 SAR.
Workforce Development and Training Initiatives
To prepare the national workforce for the future, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has implemented several impactful programs:
•The National Training Campaign “Waad” has provided 1.3 million training opportunities to equip Saudis with skills for the modern job market.
•The Unified National Employment Platform “Jadarat” has facilitated access to over 210,000 job vacancies, with an average of 700 new openings daily, boosting local and international employment opportunities for Saudi talents.
Women’s Empowerment
Saudi women have seen remarkable progress in the labor market:
•Their participation rate has reached 35.8%, exceeding Vision 2030 targets.
•Women now occupy 43% of middle and senior management positions, underscoring their critical role in national development across various sectors.
Social Responsibility Achievements
The Ministry has also made strides in social responsibility:
•The Kingdom now ranks 16th in the Social Responsibility Index (IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook).
•Corporate contributions to social spending have increased to 4.15%, with the private sector contributing over 4 billion SAR through the National Platform for Social Responsibility.These funds have supported initiatives benefiting more than 9 million people across Saudi Arabia.
A Vision for the Future
These achievements highlight the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing workforce development, promoting women’s participation, and fostering social responsibility, all in alignment with Vision 2030. With continued progress, Saudi Arabia’s private sector is set to play an even more significant role in driving sustainable economic growth and national development.
