Saudi Arabia: Labour Force Participation Rates by nationality (Saudi/non-Saudi) and sex (Q1 2021-Q1 2024)

 

Saudis

Non-Saudis

Total

Males

Females

Total

Males

Females

Total

Males

Females

Total

2021 Q1

64.8

31.9

48.3

93.6

38.5

82.0

82.2

33.8

64.8

2021 Q2

65.0

32.1

48.5

92.8

38.5

81.0

81.4

33.9

64.1

2021 Q3

65.1

34.3

49.6

92.7

41.0

81.2

81.2

36.2

64.6

2021 Q4

65.6

34.7

50.1

92.6

34.0

79.8

81.5

34.5

64.4

2022 Q1

65.1

33.3

49.1

91.6

33.4

79.3

81.0

33.3

63.9

2022 Q2

66.5

35.1

50.8

92.9

32.5

80.4

82.6

34.3

65.4

2022 Q3

66.3

36.5

51.4

93.9

32.8

81.1

83.2

35.4

66.3

2022 Q4

67.3

35.5

51.5

94.0

32.1

81.3

83.8

34.5

66.5

2023 Q1

67.1

35.5

51.4

93.9

34.8

81.9

83.8

35.3

66.9

2023 Q2

66.3

34.8

50.7

93.5

31.9

80.8

83.2

33.9

66.1

2023 Q3

65.7

35.4

50.8

93.8

32.6

81.2

83.2

34.6

66.4

2023 Q4

65.4

35.0

50.4

95.3

33.8

82.5

84.1

34.6

67.0

2024 Q1

66.4

35.8

51.4

93.3

28.3

79.6

83.2

33.4

66.0

Source: Labour Market Statistics, Statistical Database, General Authority for Statistics (GAStat)

1. Data collection methodology and definitions used

Labour Force Surveys were first conducted in 2001 and became bi-annual after 2006. Data were collected through nationally-representative household sample surveys, which sampling was based on most recent censuses.

Since 2016, Labour Force Surveys have been conducted and published on a quarterly basis, based on the following sources:

1. Household telephone surveys conducted by GAStat.

2. Employment data extracted from administrative records, introduced as a complement to the results of Labour Force Surveys in Labour Market Statistics’ publications, starting on Q1 2017.

Types of data by source:

1. Household Telephone Surveys:

Estimates of labor force, characteristics of the unemployed and inactive

The survey provides estimates of the working-age populations (aged 15 years and above), inside and outside the labour force, the characteristics of the inactive and unemployed populations), and supplies the data to calculate key indicators of labour market such as the unemployment and the labour force participation rates.

2. Administrative records:

– Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD)

(formerly Ministry of Labour and Social Development):

Supplies data on:

Employees on the job Subject to the rules and regulations of the Civil Service

– General Organization of Social Insurance (GOSI):

Supplies data on:

a. contributors on the job who are subject to social insurance laws and regulations in the private

and government sector;

b. new contributors, and contributors who terminated their contribution to social insurance during the quarter.

– National Information Center (NIC):

Supplies data on:

a. domestic workers.

The present data is based on estimates drawn from the results of the quarterly Labour Force Survey, revised on the basis of the results of census 2022.

LFS results are published as rates only. Numerical estimates are unavailable.

Household survey questionnaire:

https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/2021_Q3_LFS%20Questionnaire_EN%2022-08-2021.pdf

Definitions:

Population in the labour force:

Individuals (15 years and above) who contribute or are ready to contribute to the production of commodities and services during the reference period of the survey. The labour force includes the employed and unemployed populations.

Population outside the labour force:

Individuals (15 years and above) who is not classified as part of the labour force because they do not work, do not seek a job, are unable to work, or are not ready to work during the survey reference period.

For example: Students, housewives, retired persons who do not work, individuals unable or unwilling to work, or who do not look for a job for other reasons.

Labour force participation rate = (total labour force ÷ total population of working age (aged 15 years and over)) x 100

As of July 2024, Labour Force Survey data from Q1 2021 to Q1 2024 were revised and backcasted, based on 2022 population census results. Therefore, the present rates may differ from earlier estimates based on previous Labour Force Surveys’ sampling base.

Technical note on backcasting:

https://portal.saudicensus.sa/static-assets/media/content/20230529_Back-Casting%20Methodology.pdf?crafterSite=gastat-portal

Definitions and categories used by GAStat in Labour Markets Statistics (employment; unemployment; occupation and activity sectors, etc.) are based on international standards:

For LFS methodology and definitions, see:

https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/node/9787

https://database.stats.gov.sa/Methodologies/En_Documents/03_Labor%20Market%20Bulletin%20Methodology,%20Fourth%20Quarter%202020%20_%20General%20Authority%20for%20Statistics.pdf

2. Institution which provides data

General Authority for Statistics (GAStat)

3. Data availability

Since 2021, GAStat has been publishing separately the employment data taken from administrative records, and unemployment/inactivity data as well as general indicators, calculated from the results of the field interviews conducted by GAStat (Labour Force Survey).

The present time-series was taken from the Labour Market Statistics- Q1, 2024 (Excel and PDF formats)

https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/LM%20tables_Q1_2024_EN_0.xlsx

https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/LMS%20Q1_2024_PR_EN_0.pdf

https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/LM%20tables_Q1_2024_AR_1.xlsx

https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/LMS%20Q1_2024_PR_AR_0.pdf

Quarterly Register-based Labour Market Statistics reports are accessible from:

https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/814

https://www.stats.gov.sa/ar/814

Date of access: 22 July 2024.

Keywords: Employment, Unemployment, Female Employment, Saudi Arabia, National & Foreign Labour

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