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
2024 Q2	66.3	35.4	50.8	93.4	28.9	80.3	83.6	33.4	66.2
2024 Q3	66.9	36.2	51.5	93.6	27.9	80.2	84.0	33.6	66.6
2024 Q4	66.2	36.0	51.1	93.2	27.9	79.9	83.6	33.5	66.4
2025 Q1	66.4	36.3	51.3	94.6	36.7	82.7	84.7	36.5	68.2
2025 Q2	64.0	34.5	49.2	93.9	37.1	82.4	83.5	35.4	67.1
2025 Q3	64.3	33.7	49.0	94.0	35.1	82.1	83.8	34.2	66.9

Source: Labour Market Statistics, 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 onthe 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.

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://database.stats.gov.sa/Methodologies/En_Documents/40_Technical%20Note%20Population%20Back%20Casting.PDF

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/w/lfs-1
https://www.stats.gov.sa/w/lfs-1

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- Q4, 2024 (Excel and PDF formats)
https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/statistics-tabs?tab=436312&category=417515
https://www.stats.gov.sa/statistics-tabs?tab=436312&category=417515
Quarterly Register-based Labour Market Statistics reports are accessible from:
https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/statistics?index=119025
https://www.stats.gov.sa/statistics?index=119025.

Date of access: 20 January 2026.

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

GLMM and GRC cannot guarantee that the link to access the source will not change;
that the information will not be removed from the website it was obtained from;
that no geo-blockages will be imposed; or that the information will not be available for any another reason.

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