Unemployment rate (annual) in Saudi Arabia

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.

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.

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.

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.