Saudi Arabia: Private sector adds over 37,000 local workers in August, data shows

Saudi Arabia‘s private sector added 37,009 local employees in August, representing a 6.94 percent increase from the 34,606 new hires in July, according to the latest data from the National Labor Observatory.

The total number of private sector workers in the Kingdom rose to 11,572,408 in August, a 0.86 percent increase from July’s 11,473,341. This growth reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to boosting national employment through strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing local talent within the private sector.

The data underscores the effectiveness of Saudi Arabia’s labor policies, which align with Vision 2030’s broader goals of diversifying the economy and reducing reliance on oil.

Of the total workforce, 2,369,828 employees are Saudi nationals, including 972,682 women and 1,397,146 men.

The rise in female participation highlights ongoing efforts to promote gender inclusivity, a key national objective for increasing female workforce engagement. Expatriates make up the remaining 9,202,580 workers, with 8,812,758 men and 389,822 women.

While Saudi nationals increasingly fill private sector roles, foreign workers remain crucial, particularly in industries requiring specialized skills.

The growth in first-time local hires and overall employment illustrates the success of the Private Sector Empowerment Program, Tawteen, which incentivizes companies to hire and train Saudi nationals.