Saudi unemployment rate falls to 7.5% in Q3 2025, GASTAT says

RIYADH, Dec. 29 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia’s unemployment rate among nationals declined on a year-on-year basis to 7.5% in the third quarter of 2025, down 0.3 percentage points compared with the same period in 2024, according to labor market statistics released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

The bulletin showed a notable improvement in indicators related to female participation in economic activity. Unemployment among Saudi women fell to 12.1%, marking a year-on-year decline of 1.5 percentage points compared with the third quarter of 2024.

GASTAT also reported an increase in the labor force participation rate of Saudi men, which rose to 64.3%, up 0.3 percentage points. Meanwhile, the employment-to-population ratio of Saudi women increased by three percentage points over the past five years, reaching 29.7%, reflecting structural changes in the labor market.

For the total population, the overall labor force participation rate reached 66.9%, recording a quarterly decline of 0.2 percentage points while posting a year-on-year increase of 0.3 percentage points. The employment-to-working-age population ratio stood at 64.6%, down 0.4 percentage points compared with the second quarter of 2025, but up 0.5 percentage points year on year.

GASTAT said the indicators reflect ongoing national efforts to develop the Saudi labor market and expand employment opportunities, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and related programs focused on human capital development and economic growth.