Labor Market – Q4 2024
Labor market indicators in Saudi Arabia showed a positive shift in Q4 2024. The overall unemployment rate decreased to 3.5%, while the unemployment rate for Saudis dropped to 7.0%. Although the overall labor force participation rate declined slightly, the employment-to-population ratio among Saudis improved —particularly among females and youth. Most unemployed Saudis actively search for jobs using multiple methods, and a large percentage expressed willingness to work in the private sector and commit to long working hours.
Saudi Labor Market Indicators
• The Saudi unemployment rate declined to 7.0%, down 0.8 percentage points from both Q3 2024 and Q4 2023.
• The employment-to-population ratio for Saudis increased to 47.5%, up 0.1percentage points quarter-on-quarter and 1.0 percentage pointyear-on-year.
• The labor force participation rate for Saudis reached 51.1%, a 0.4percentage points quarterly decrease and a 0.7 percentage points annual increase.
Overall Unemployment Rate (Total Population)
• The unemployment rate for the total population (Saudis and non-Saudis) was 3.5%,a decrease of 0.2 percentage points compared to Q3 2024, and an increase of 0.1 percentage points compared to Q4 2023.
• The total labor force participation rate reached 66.4%, decreasing by 0.2percentage points from Q3 2024 and by 0.6 percentage points year-on-year.
3. Labor Indicators by Gender
• Saudi Females:
- Labor force participation: 36.0% (↓ 0.2 pp)
- Employment-to-population ratio: 31.8% (↑ 0.5 pp)
- Unemployment rate: 11.9% (↓ 1.7 pp)
• Saudi Males:
- Labor force participation: 66.2% (↓ 0.7 pp)
- Employment-to-population ratio: 63.4%
- Unemployment rate: 4.3% (↓ from Q3)
4. Youth Labor Market (Aged 15–24)
• Saudi Females:
- Employment-to-population ratio: 13.9% (↑ 0.3 pp)
- Labor force participation: 17.3% (↓ 0.7 pp)
- Unemployment rate: 19.9% (↓ 4.6 pp)
• Saudi Males:
- Employment-to-population ratio: 29.7% (unchanged)
- Labor force participation: 33.8% (↓ 0.8 pp)
- Unemployment rate: 12.2% (↓ 1.8 pp)
5. Core Working-Age Group (25–54)
• Employment-to-population ratio: 64.9% (↑ 0.1 pp)
• Labor force participation: 69.2% (↓ 0.2 pp)
• Unemployment rate: 6.2% (↓ from Q3)
6. Saudis Aged 55 and Over
• Indicators show a decrease in both unemployment and labor force participation compared to Q3 2024.
7. Job Search Behavior of Unemployed Saudis
• On average, Saudi job seekers use 5 active methods to search for work.
• Most commonly used methods:
• Asking friends or relatives: 86.9%
• Direct application to employers: 73.9%
• National employment platform (Jadarat): 65.4%
