Saudi Women Achieve 36.2% Workforce Participation, Reports General Authority for Statistics
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released its Labor Market Bulletin for Q3 2024 today, highlighting notable trends in employment and labor force participation across Saudi Arabia. According to the report, the unemployment rate among Saudi nationals stood at 7.8% for the third quarter, marking an increase of 0.7 percentage points compared to the second quarter of the same year but reflecting an annual decline of 1.0 percentage points compared to Q3 2023.
Labor Force Participation on the Rise
The bulletin revealed that the overall labor force participation rate (including Saudis and non-Saudis) increased by 0.4 percentage points compared to Q2 2024, reaching 66.6%. Saudi labor force participation alone saw a rise of 0.7 percentage points during Q3 2024, reaching 51.5%, which also represented an annual increase of 0.7 percentage points.
Similarly, the employment-to-population ratio for Saudis increased by 0.2 percentage points during the same period, reaching 47.4%, and showed a year-on-year rise of 1.1 percentage points.
Saudi Women: Breaking Barriers in the Workforce
One of the report’s key highlights was the increased participation of Saudi women in the labor force. The rate of female participation rose by 0.8 percentage points to reach 36.2%. Additionally, the employment-to-population ratio for Saudi women grew by 0.5 percentage points, reaching 31.3%.
Among young Saudi women aged 15-24 years, labor force participation rose by 1.0 percentage points to 18.0%. Furthermore, the employment-to-population ratio for this demographic saw an increase of 0.6 percentage points, reaching 13.6% in Q3 2024.
Labor Market Trends Among Saudi Men
For young Saudi men in the 15-24 age group, labor force participation climbed by 1.1 percentage points, reaching 34.6%. Across all age groups, the participation rate for Saudi men rose by 0.6 percentage points to 66.9%, with the employment-to-population ratio increasing to 63.7%.
Workforce Engagement Among Prime Working-Age Saudis
The report also shed light on workforce trends among Saudi men and women aged 25-54, considered the prime working age. Labor force participation for this group increased by 0.7 percentage points, reaching 69.4%. The employment-to-population ratio also improved, rising by 0.3 percentage points to 64.8%.
Job-Seeking Methods Among Saudi Job Seekers
The bulletin provided insights into job-seeking behaviors among unemployed Saudis. On average, each job seeker utilized five active methods to search for employment. Asking friends or relatives about job opportunities was the most commonly used method, with 87.7% of job seekers employing this approach. This was followed by directly applying to employers, used by 75.0%, and leveraging the national employment platform “Jadarat,” which was utilized by 71.2% of job seekers.
Progress Toward Vision 2030
These trends align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives to enhance workforce participation, particularly among women and youth, and to create a vibrant and inclusive labor market. The steady improvement in employment rates and labor force participation highlights the ongoing efforts to empower Saudi nationals and foster economic growth.
As the Kingdom continues to implement labor market reforms and initiatives to boost employment, the insights provided by the GASTAT Labor Market Bulletin serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, businesses, and job seekers alike.
