Saudi Arabia’s workforce is shaped by who joins the labor market and how pay varies across public and private jobs. Track how overall unemployment eased to 7.1% in Q1 2024, and how female labor force participation rose to 36.4%. You’ll also see sector snapshots, from wholesale and retail’s 2.8 million workers to construction’s 2.1 million workforce largely made up of expatriates.
Key Takeaways
- Average monthly wage for Saudi private sector workers was SAR 10,248 in Q1 2024
- Minimum wage for Saudis in private sector: SAR 4,000 since 2022
- Average public sector salary: SAR 14,500 monthly in 2023
- Wholesale and retail trade employed 2.8 million workers in Q1 2024, representing 18% of total employment
- Construction sector workforce totaled 2.1 million, mostly expatriates at 92%, in Q1 2024
- Public administration and defense employed 1.1 million Saudis in 2023
- In Q1 2024, the total labor force in Saudi Arabia reached 16.8 million workers, marking a 2.1% increase from Q1 2023
- Saudi nationals accounted for 40.2% of the total labor force in Q1 2024, up from 37.8% in the previous year due to Saudization efforts
- The labor force participation rate for Saudi males aged 15+ was 72.5% in 2023
- Overall unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia was 7.1% in Q1 2024, down from 7.7% in Q1 2023
- Saudi national unemployment rate dropped to 6.8% in Q1 2024
- Youth unemployment (15-24) for Saudis was 15.9% in 2023
- Saudis comprise 75% of total workforce aged 20-24
- Expatriates make up 59.8% of total workforce in Q1 2024
- Median age of Saudi workforce: 32.4 years in 2023
Saudi Arabia’s labor force grew to 16.8 million in Q1 2024, with improving unemployment and rising female participation.
Related reading
01 · Category
Compensation And Working Conditions26 stats
01
Average monthly wage for Saudi private sector workers was SAR 10,248 in Q1 2024
02
Minimum wage for Saudis in private sector: SAR 4,000 since 2022
03
Average public sector salary: SAR 14,500 monthly in 2023
04
Female Saudi average wage: SAR 9,120, 78% of male counterparts in Q1 2024
05
Expat average wage in construction: SAR 2,800 monthly in 2023
06
Bonus payments average: 1.2 months salary in private sector 2023
07
End-of-service benefits average payout: SAR 45,000 per worker in 2023
08
Overtime pay rate: 1.25x hourly wage standard in 2023
09
Health insurance coverage: 98% of private sector Saudis in Q1 2024
10
Average workweek: 43.2 hours in private sector 2023
11
Saudization premium wage uplift: 15% for compliant firms in 2023
12
Oil sector average salary: SAR 25,600 monthly in 2023
13
Gig economy average hourly rate: SAR 45 for Saudis in 2023
14
Pension contributions: 22% of salary (9% employee, 13% employer) in 2023
15
Paid annual leave: 21 days minimum in private sector
16
Wage growth rate: 4.8% YoY for Saudis in Q1 2024
17
Part-time worker average wage: SAR 6,200 monthly in 2023
18
Sector wage leader: Finance at SAR 18,900 average in 2023
19
Lowest wage sector: Domestic work SAR 1,800 average for expats 2023
20
Remote work compensation adjustment: +5% for Saudis in 2023
21
Injury compensation claims: SAR 1.2 billion paid in 2023
22
Maternity leave pay: 100% salary for 70 days in 2023
23
Youth apprentice stipend: SAR 2,500-4,000 monthly in 2023
24
Performance bonus share: 12% of total compensation in private firms 2023
25
Hajj leave allowance: SAR 3,000 average in 2023
26
Wage inequality Gini for Saudis: 0.28 in 2023
Interpretation
Compensation And Working Conditions Interpretation
Saudi Arabia’s compensation picture shows relatively strong pay for Saudis, with average private sector wages at SAR 10,248 in Q1 2024 and a monthly minimum wage of SAR 4,000 since 2022, while pay gaps remain visible as women earn SAR 9,120 on average, just 78% of men’s wages.
02 · Category
Employment By Sector27 stats
01
Wholesale and retail trade employed 2.8 million workers in Q1 2024, representing 18% of total employment
02
Construction sector workforce totaled 2.1 million, mostly expatriates at 92%, in Q1 2024
03
Public administration and defense employed 1.1 million Saudis in 2023
04
Manufacturing sector had 1.05 million workers, with Saudi share at 28% in Q1 2024
05
Oil and gas extraction employed 250,000 directly in 2023
06
Health and social work sector workforce: 1.2 million in Q1 2024, Saudis 65%
07
Education sector employed 950,000, with 88% Saudis in 2023
08
Hospitality and food services: 1.4 million workers, 15% Saudis in Q1 2024
09
Financial services sector: 320,000 employees, 75% Saudis in 2023
10
Transportation and storage: 850,000 workers in Q1 2024
11
Agriculture, forestry, fishing: 450,000 workers, 12% Saudis in 2023
12
Real estate activities: 280,000 employed in Q1 2024
13
Information and communication: 220,000 workers, 62% Saudis in 2023
14
Professional, scientific, technical services: 410,000 in Q1 2024
15
Administrative and support services: 1.9 million, 8% Saudis in 2023
16
Arts, entertainment, recreation: 120,000 workers in Q1 2024
17
Other services: 650,000 employed, 35% Saudis in 2023
18
Electricity, gas, water supply: 85,000 workers, 70% Saudis in Q1 2024
19
Mining (non-oil): 45,000 employed in 2023
20
Private household employment: 1.1 million, mostly expats in Q1 2024
21
Non-market services share of employment: 42% in 2023
22
Market services employment grew 4.2% YoY in 2023
23
Industry sector (excl. construction): 9% of total employment in Q1 2024
24
Tourism-related employment: 1.05 million in 2023
25
Gig economy platform workers in services: 300,000 in 2023
26
Renewable energy sector employment: 25,000 in 2023, projected to 100,000 by 2030
27
E-commerce workforce: 180,000 in Q1 2024
Interpretation
Employment By Sector Interpretation
In Saudi Arabia’s employment by sector, wholesale and retail trade leads with 2.8 million workers in Q1 2024 and construction follows with 2.1 million workers that are overwhelmingly expatriate heavy at 92%, showing how much of the job market is concentrated in these labor-intensive sectors.
03 · Category
Labor Force Size And Participation30 stats
01
In Q1 2024, the total labor force in Saudi Arabia reached 16.8 million workers, marking a 2.1% increase from Q1 2023
02
Saudi nationals accounted for 40.2% of the total labor force in Q1 2024, up from 37.8% in the previous year due to Saudization efforts
03
The labor force participation rate for Saudi males aged 15+ was 72.5% in 2023
04
Female Saudi labor force participation rate surged to 36.4% in Q1 2024 from 33.4% in Q1 2023
05
Youth (15-24) labor force participation rate among Saudis was 28.1% in 2023
06
Total employed workforce in Saudi Arabia stood at 15.7 million in Q4 2023
07
Non-Saudi labor force grew by 1.8% to 10.1 million in Q1 2024
08
Overall labor force participation rate for Saudi citizens was 52.6% in 2023
09
Labor force in the private sector comprised 11.2 million workers in Q1 2024
10
Public sector labor force totaled 2.9 million in Q1 2024, with Saudis making up 85%
11
Working-age population (15-64) labor force engagement was 61.4% in 2022
12
Saudi female participation in Makkah region reached 41.2% in 2023, highest regionally
13
Total labor force growth rate averaged 2.5% annually from 2019-2023
14
Saudis in labor force aged 25-34 numbered 2.1 million in 2023
15
Expatriate labor force participation rate estimated at 95% among working-age expats
16
Labor force in Riyadh region totaled 5.2 million in Q1 2024
17
Saudi labor force participation for ages 55+ was 32.7% in 2023
18
Total labor force density per sq km was 0.48 in 2023
19
Non-oil sector labor force expanded by 3.4% YoY in 2023
20
Saudi youth labor force hit 1.8 million in 2023
21
Female-headed labor force households increased by 15% from 2020-2023
22
Labor force with tertiary education participation rate 68.2% in 2023
23
Eastern Province labor force reached 3.1 million in Q1 2024
24
Saudi male participation rate for 35-44 age group was 95.1% in 2023
25
Total labor force with vocational training: 1.2 million in 2023
26
Asir region labor force participation lagged at 48.2% in 2023
27
Labor force mobility rate between regions: 4.2% annually
28
Saudi labor force in gig economy estimated at 450,000 in 2023
29
Participation rate for disabled Saudis in labor force: 22.4% in 2023
30
Total labor force projected to reach 18.5 million by 2030
Interpretation
Labor Force Size And Participation Interpretation
Saudi Arabia’s labor force continues to expand and diversify, with total workers rising to 16.8 million in Q1 2024 and women’s participation climbing to 36.4% while male participation remains at 72.5% in 2023.
More related reading
04 · Category
Unemployment And Joblessness28 stats
01
Overall unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia was 7.1% in Q1 2024, down from 7.7% in Q1 2023
02
Saudi national unemployment rate dropped to 6.8% in Q1 2024
03
Youth unemployment (15-24) for Saudis was 15.9% in 2023
04
Female Saudi unemployment rate: 14.8% in Q1 2024, improved from 17.2%
05
Male Saudi unemployment: 4.5% in Q1 2024
06
Non-Saudi unemployment rate remained low at 2.1% in Q1 2024
07
Long-term unemployment (>1 year) affected 12% of unemployed Saudis in 2023
08
Urban unemployment rate: 7.3% vs rural 6.2% in 2023
09
Unemployment rate in Riyadh: 6.1% in Q1 2024
10
Youth female unemployment: 30.5% in 2023
11
Underemployment rate for Saudis: 3.2% in Q1 2024
12
Discouraged workers numbered 250,000 Saudis in 2023
13
Unemployment benefit recipients: 45,000 in 2023
14
Seasonal unemployment peak in summer: 8.2% in 2023
15
Unemployment for university graduates: 12.4% in 2023
16
Migrant worker unemployment: 1.8% amid deportations in 2023
17
Unemployment rate ages 25-34 Saudis: 7.2% in Q1 2024
18
Rural Saudi unemployment: 6.5% in 2023
19
Post-COVID unemployment recovery: 85% by 2023
20
NEET rate (not in employment, education, training) for youth: 17.8% in 2023
21
Unemployment in construction sector: 9.1% for Saudis in 2023
22
Female unemployment in private sector: 18.2% in Q1 2024
23
Projected unemployment rate: 5.5% by 2030 under Vision 2030
24
Unemployment for disabled Saudis: 25.3% in 2023
25
Part-time involuntary unemployment: 4.7% of workforce in 2023
26
Saudis aged 15-19 unemployment: 28.4% in Q1 2024
27
Overall job vacancy rate: 2.3% in 2023
28
Saudi females aged 45+ unemployment: 8.9% in 2023
Interpretation
Unemployment And Joblessness Interpretation
Under the Unemployment And Joblessness category, Saudi Arabia’s overall unemployment rate fell to 7.1% in Q1 2024 from 7.7% in Q1 2023, with notable gains also for Saudi women whose unemployment dropped to 14.8% from 17.2%.
05 · Category
Workforce Demographics28 stats
01
Saudis comprise 75% of total workforce aged 20-24
02
Expatriates make up 59.8% of total workforce in Q1 2024
03
Median age of Saudi workforce: 32.4 years in 2023
04
Females represent 32.1% of Saudi national workforce in Q1 2024
05
45% of Saudi workforce has university degree or higher in 2023
06
Expat workforce from South Asia: 42% of total non-Saudis in 2023
07
Saudi workforce in private sector: 55% under 35 years old in Q1 2024
08
Gender ratio in workforce: 68 males per 100 females overall in 2023
09
28% of workforce aged 25-34 are female Saudis in 2023
10
Arab expatriates: 25% of non-Saudi workforce in Q1 2024
11
Workforce literacy rate: 97.2% for Saudis aged 15+ in 2023
12
Youth (15-24) Saudis: 14.2% of national workforce in 2023
13
Western expatriates: 3% of total workforce in Q1 2024
14
Married individuals: 62% of Saudi workforce in 2023
15
Urban workforce share: 85.4% in 2023
16
Disabled workers: 1.8% of total Saudi workforce in 2023
17
High school educated Saudis: 35% of workforce in Q1 2024
18
Expat turnover rate: 22% annually in 2023
19
Saudi seniors (55+): 8.5% of workforce in 2023
20
Female workforce concentration in services: 72% in Q1 2024
21
Vocational training certified workers: 18% of Saudis in 2023
22
Multi-nationality workforce diversity index: 4.2 in 2023
23
Riyadh workforce Saudization: 48% in Q1 2024
24
Average tenure of Saudi workers: 7.2 years in 2023
25
Gig workers demographics: 60% under 30, mostly male in 2023
26
Eastern Province workforce: 70% male in Q1 2024
27
Tertiary-educated expats: 22% of their workforce in 2023
28
Saudi workforce average household size: 5.8 members in 2023
Interpretation
Workforce Demographics Interpretation
Within workforce demographics, Saudi Arabia’s labor force is heavily shaped by non-Saudis and a youthful profile, with expatriates at 59.8% in Q1 2024 and the median Saudi workforce age at 32.4 years in 2023, alongside women making up just 32.1% of the Saudi national workforce.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). Saudi Arabia Workforce Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-workforce-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "Saudi Arabia Workforce Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-workforce-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "Saudi Arabia Workforce Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-workforce-statistics.
Sources & references
23 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level