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Saudi freelancers hit 2.2 million as jobless rate improves

Saudi freelancers hit 2.2 million as jobless rate improves

February 4, 2025

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The number of freelancers in Saudi Arabia has jumped to 2.2 million in FY 2024, reports Zawya, citing the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi. “The workforce in the Saudi private sector has exceeded 12 million, and the number of Saudis in the private sector rose to 2.4 million in 2024, as more than 700,000 jobs have been added for Saudis in the private sector,” Al-Rajhi said. “This development, supported by training programmes and others, reduced unemployment rates to 3.7% by the end of the last quarter of 2024, a remarkable development compared to 2020, when the rates were 5.7%, while female participation in the labour market increased to 36%, exceeding the targets of Vision 2030.”

Vision 2030 is a government programme which aims to achieve the goal of increased diversification economically, socially, and culturally. In a speech, the minister outlined several pioneering initiatives launched by the Kingdom under the Saudi Vision 2030 to empower its workforce and drive labour market transformation. These include training programmes, legislative initiatives, the National Youth Development Strategy launch, and the Cooperative Training Policy.

The minister also addressed the growing global challenges in the labour market, noting that around 67 million young people are currently unemployed, and nearly 20% of individuals aged 15 to 24 are neither employed nor engaged in education or training programmes. Also, around 40% of employers face difficulties filling job vacancies due to a mismatch between workforce skills and labour market demands, with youth unemployment exceeding 30% in some regions of the world.