In the first quarter of 2026, Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate has notably decreased to 6.4%, with the jobless rate among Saudi women dropping to 9%, as reported by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). This marks a reduction of 0.8 percentage points compared to Q4 2025, highlighting a significant quarterly improvement, particularly for women whose unemployment rate fell by 1.3 percentage points. Among Saudi men, unemployment also saw a decline, falling to 4.9%. The labor force participation rate in the Kingdom reached 64.2%, while the employment-to-population ratio stood at 61.0%. Additionally, overall unemployment, including both Saudis and non-Saudis, decreased to 3.1%, down 0.4 percentage points from the previous quarter, reflecting a robust labor market. The labor force participation rate for Saudis was reported at 49%, slightly down from the previous quarter, with an employment-to-population ratio of 45.8%. Improvements were also noted among Saudi youth, with unemployment rates for women aged 15-24 falling to 20.4% and for men in the same age group to 13.8%. The survey indicated that a significant majority of unemployed Saudis—95.8%—are open to private-sector employment, demonstrating a willingness to engage in the labor market, with many prepared to commute and work extended hours.
Source: Saudi Gazette
