The unemployment rate among Saudis decreased by the end of the second quarter of this year to 11.3 percent, compared to 11.7 percent at the end of the first quarter of the same year.

According to an analysis by the reporting unit in the newspaper “Al-Eqtisadiya”, based on official data, this is the lowest unemployment rate for Saudis since 2010 of 11. 2 percent (i.e. the lowest in 11 years), and it is also lower than the levels before the outbreak of the Corona outbreak of 11.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020.2 percent (i.e. the lowest in 11 years), and it is also lower than its levels before the Corona outbreak of 11.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020.
This indicates that Saudi Vision 2030 programs to employ Saudis are starting to bear fruit, which aims to reduce the unemployment rate to 7 percent by 2030. The decline in Saudi unemployment is a new achievement added to the Vision's multiple achievements since its launch in 2016.

After the pandemic, the unemployment rate reached 15.4 percent by the end of Q2 2020, 14.9 percent by the end of Q3 2020, and 12.6 percent by the end of Q4 2020.

The recent data reflects a recovery from the repercussions of Corona on economic activity in the country, and confirms the ability of the Saudi economy to absorb thousands of job seekers.
The second quarter of 2020 was the worst quarter affected by the Coronavirus, the highest rate historically, according to available data, with the third quarter second behind it.

According to GASTAT estimates based on the labor force survey for the second quarter of 2021, the unemployment rate of the total working-age population (Saudis and non-Saudis 15 years and over) increased to 6.6 percent compared to 6.5 percent during the previous quarter (Q1 2021).

The results showed that the unemployment rate for the total male working-age population in the Kingdom decreased in the second quarter of 2021 to 3.5 percent compared to 3.7 percent in the previous quarter.
While the unemployment rate for the total female working-age population increased from 16.1 percent in Q1 2021 to 17.1 percent in Q2 2021.

The unemployment rate for Saudi males decreased to 6.1 in Q2 2021 from 7.2 in the previous quarter, while the unemployment rate for Saudi females increased to 22.3 in Q2 2021 from 21.2 percent in the previous quarter based on estimates of the labor force survey.

The survey results showed that the labor force participation rate for the total working-age population (Saudis and non-Saudis 15 years and over) decreased to 60.8 percent during the second quarter of 2021, compared to 61.1 percent in the first quarter of this year.<The results indicated that the labor force participation rate for the total male working-age population decreased during the second quarter of 2021 to 79.2 percent compared to 79.7 percent in the previous quarter.

The labor force participation rate for the total female working-age population increased in the second quarter of 2021 to 33.8 percent compared to 33.6 percent during the previous quarter (i.e., the first quarter of 2021).

The labor force participation rate for total Saudis (males and females 15 years and older) declined to 49.4 percent in the second quarter of 2021 compared to 49.5 percent in the previous quarter, but remains above the pre-pandemic level.
The labor force participation rate among Saudi males declined by 0.4 points to 65.7 percent in the second quarter of 2021 compared to 66.2 percent in the first quarter of 2021.

While the labor force participation rate among Saudi women increased to 32.4 percent in the second quarter of 2021, compared to 32.3 percent in the previous quarter (first quarter of 2021).

The Labor Market Bulletin bases its results on two data sources: The first source is through the implementation of a household survey conducted by the Authority, which falls under the classification of (social statistics), in which information is collected through a representative sample of the population of various administrative regions in the Kingdom from households, and the completion of an electronic form containing a number of questions, through which estimates and indicators related to the labor force of the working-age population of the age group (15 years and above) settled in the Kingdom are provided, and an estimate of the economically active and inactive population (inside and outside the labor force), as well as calculating the most important labor market indicators such as unemployment rates, labor force participation rate, employment rates and others.<The second data source is the data and information registered and updated by government agencies related to the labor market, resulting from the official electronic registration and documentation processes followed in these agencies.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Human Resources Development Fund, the General Organization for Social Insurance, and the National Information Center provide the Commission with the data registered with them periodically through electronic linkage as these agencies are the main source of data of employed persons in the government sector and the private sector.