The unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia fell to 3.1% in the first quarter of 2026 from 3.5% in the previous period, marking the lowest reading since Q1 2025. The jobless rate among Saudi nationals decreased by 0.8 percentage points to 6.4%, while that for non-Saudis increased to 1.5%. By gender, unemployment among women moderated to 7.2% from 8.2% in Q4 2025, while the rate for men fell to 2.2% from 2.5%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate edged down to 67.2% from 67.4%, while the employment-to-population ratio rose slightly to 65.1% from 65.0%. Survey data showed that 95.8% of unemployed individuals were willing to accept job offers in the private sector. Many also demonstrated flexibility in work arrangements, with 60.4% of women and 45.3% of men willing to commute for an hour or more. In terms of working hours, 68.2% of unemployed Saudi women were willing to work at least eight hours a day, compared with 82.8% of unemployed Saudi men. source: General Authority for Statistics, Saudi Arabia

Unemployment Rate in Saudi Arabia decreased to 3.10 percent in the first quarter of 2026 from 3.50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. Unemployment Rate in Saudi Arabia averaged 5.32 percent from 1999 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 9.00 percent in the second quarter of 2020 and a record low of 2.80 percent in the first quarter of 2025. This page provides - Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate - values, historical data and charts - was last updated on July of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Saudi Arabia decreased to 3.10 percent in the first quarter of 2026 from 3.50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. Unemployment Rate in Saudi Arabia is expected to be 3.50 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 3.20 percent in 2027 and 3.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-31 06:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Q4 3.5% 3.4% 3.4%
2026-06-30 06:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Q1 3.1% 3.5% 3.50%
2026-09-30 06:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Q2 3.1% 3.50%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employment Rate 65.10 65.00 percent Mar 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 67.20 67.40 percent Mar 2026
Population 35.92 35.30 Million Dec 2025
Unemployment Rate 3.10 3.50 percent Mar 2026


Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate
In Saudi Arabia, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3.10 3.50 9.00 2.80 1999 - 2026 percent Quarterly
NSA

News Stream
Saudi Arabia Jobless Rate Falls to 3.1%
The unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia fell to 3.1% in the first quarter of 2026 from 3.5% in the previous period, marking the lowest reading since Q1 2025. The jobless rate among Saudi nationals decreased by 0.8 percentage points to 6.4%, while that for non-Saudis increased to 1.5%. By gender, unemployment among women moderated to 7.2% from 8.2% in Q4 2025, while the rate for men fell to 2.2% from 2.5%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate edged down to 67.2% from 67.4%, while the employment-to-population ratio rose slightly to 65.1% from 65.0%. Survey data showed that 95.8% of unemployed individuals were willing to accept job offers in the private sector. Many also demonstrated flexibility in work arrangements, with 60.4% of women and 45.3% of men willing to commute for an hour or more. In terms of working hours, 68.2% of unemployed Saudi women were willing to work at least eight hours a day, compared with 82.8% of unemployed Saudi men.
2026-06-30
Saudi Arabia Jobless Rate Rises to 3.5% in Q4
The unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia rose to 3.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from 3.4% in the previous period. The jobless rate stood at 7.2% for Saudi nationals and 1.7% for non-Saudis. By gender, unemployment among females eased to 8.2% from 9.4% in Q2, while the rate for males rose to 2.5% from 2.2%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate slipped to 67.4% from 66.9%, and the employment-to-population ratio rose to 65.0% from 64.6%. Survey data showed that 95.9% of unemployed Saudis are willing to accept job offers in the private sector. Survey findings indicate strong openness among unemployed Saudis to private sector opportunities, with 95.9% willing to take such roles. Many also show flexibility in work arrangements, about 63.8% of women and 46.2% of men, are prepared to travel an hour or more for a job. In terms of working hours, 67.8% of unemployed Saudi women are willing to work at least eight hours a day, while this rises to 83.0% among men.
2026-03-31
Saudi Arabia Jobless Rate Rises to 3.4% in Q3
The unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia rose to 3.4% in the third quarter of 2025, up from 3.2% in the previous period. The jobless rate stood at 7.5% for Saudi nationals and 1.4% for non-Saudis. By gender, unemployment among females fell to 9.4% from 11.3% in Q2, while the rate for males declined to 2.2% from 4.3%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate eased to 66.9% from 67.1%, and the employment-to-population ratio slipped to 64.6% from 65.0%. Survey data showed that 95.3% of unemployed Saudis are willing to accept private-sector jobs. Among them, 61.0% of women and 42.7% of men are willing to commute for at least an hour, while 70.6% of women and 86.7% of men are open to working eight hours or more per day.
2025-12-29