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Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate

Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate rose to 3.2% in the second quarter of 2025 from 2.8% in the first quarter. This 0.4 percentage point increase occurred despite economic diversification efforts and Saudization policies. Female unemployment reached 11.3% in Q2 2025 and labor force participation among Saudi nationals declined. Saudi Arabia's record low unemployment rate was 2.8% in Q1 2025 and record high was 9% in Q2 2020.

Quarterly Historical Data (1999-2025)

(in %)
Quarter Unemployment Rate
Q2 2025 3.2%
Q1 2025 2.8%
Q4 2024 3.5%
Q3 2024 3.7%
Q2 2024 3.3%
Q1 2024 3.5%
Q4 2023 3.4%
Q3 2023 4.2%
Q2 2023 4.1%
Q1 2023 4.3%
Q4 2022 4.1%
Q3 2022 4.9%
Q2 2022 5.1%
Q1 2022 5.4%
Q4 2021 6.3%
Q3 2021 6.1%
Q2 2021 6.3%
Q1 2021 5.8%
Q4 2020 7.4%
Q3 2020 8.5%
Q2 2020 9%
Q1 2020 5.7%
Q4 2019 5.7%
Q3 2019 5.5%
Q2 2019 5.6%
Q1 2019 5.7%
Q4 2018 6%
Q3 2018 6%
Q2 2018 6%
Q1 2018 6.1%
Q4 2017 6%
Q3 2017 5.8%
Q2 2017 6%
Q1 2017 5.8%
Q4 2016 5.6%
Q3 2016 5.7%
Q2 2016 5.6%
Q1 2016 5.6%
Q4 2015 5.6%
Q2 2015 5.7%
Q4 2014 5.7%
Q3 2014 5.7%
Q2 2014 5.9%
Q1 2014 6%
Q4 2013 5.5%
Q3 2013 5.6%
Q2 2013 5.7%
Q1 2013 5.8%
Q4 2012 5.4%
Q3 2012 5.5%
Q2 2012 5.6%
Q1 2012 5.7%
Q4 2009 5.4%
Q4 2008 5%
Q4 2007 5.6%
Q4 2006 6.3%
Q4 2005 6.1%
Q4 2004 5.8%
Q4 2003 5.6%
Q4 2002 5.3%
Q4 2001 4.6%
Q4 2000 4.6%
Q4 1999 4.3%

Recent Events

datetime event actual previous consensus
2025-09-30 02:00 AM Unemployment Rate (Q2) 3.2% 2.8% -
Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate : Definition
The unemployment rate measures the jobless, actively seeking work as a percentage of the labor force which includes employed and unemployed individuals. Calculation involves dividing the number of unemployed by the labor force, then multiplying by 100, yielding a percentage.
Indicator Last Value Prior Value Period
Annual Unemployment Rate 3.9% 4.01% 2024
Female Labor Force Rate 34.41% 34.11% 2024