Saudi Arabia Unemployment rate (annual) in Saudi Arabia

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

3.2% (2025) ANUAL · % · Annual · CSV
Period%
Jan 2025 3.2%
Jan 2024 3.5%
Jan 2023 4.0%
Jan 2022 4.9%
Jan 2021 6.1%
Jan 2020 7.7%
Jan 2019 5.6%
Jan 2018 6.0%
Jan 2017 5.9%
Jan 2016 5.6%
Jan 2015 5.6%
Jan 2014 5.7%
Jan 2013 5.6%
Jan 2012 5.5%
Jan 2011 5.8%
Jan 2010 5.5%
Jan 2009 5.4%
Jan 2008 5.2%
Jan 2007 5.6%
Jan 2006 6.3%
Jan 2005 6.1%
Jan 2004 5.8%
Jan 2003 5.6%
Jan 2002 5.3%
Jan 2001 4.6%
Jan 2000 4.6%
Jan 1999 4.3%

About this indicator

Source
International Monetary Fund
Frequency
Annual
Release
Published annually, covering the full year and subject to revision.
What it is
Measures the share of Saudi Arabia's labour force that is without work and actively seeking a job. Compiled by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), it is a key variable of the Vision 2030 programme.
How it's calculated
It is drawn from the GASTAT labour-force survey using the ILO definition of unemployment, distinguishing Saudis from non-Saudis. It is expressed as an annual percentage of the labour force; market attention centres on the rate for nationals.
Market implications
The Saudi unemployment rate, especially for nationals, is a key gauge of economic diversification and of the Saudisation policies within Vision 2030. A decline is read as success of the reform plan; the effect on the riyal is negligible given its dollar peg.
Limitations
The overall rate blends Saudis with a vast foreign workforce, so the nationals' figure is the truly relevant one. Traditionally low labour-force participation and methodological changes play a role, and the data are subject to revision.