Saudi employment numbers improve
Unemployment in Saudi Arabia is higher than in other Gulf states, but the labor market is showing signs of strength in other areas.
Saudi Arabia reported decreases in its unemployment rates today.
The unemployment rate for Saudi citizens in the country (not including foreigners) was 9.7% in the second quarter of 2022, down 0.4% from the first quarter. The unemployment rate for men fell 0.3% to 4.7%. The rate for women fell 0.9% to 19.3%. Saudi Arabia’s overall unemployment rate including foreigners was 5.8% in the second quarter, the General Authority for Statistics said in a release.
Why it matters: The number of women in the Saudi workforce has increased dramatically in recent years. In the past five years, the percentage of Saudi women in the workforce has doubled to 35%, the Saudi government said in May.
While unemployment for women remains relatively high, Bloomberg reported today that the 19.3% unemployment rate for women is the lowest on record.
