Saudi Arabia: Unemployment rates by nationality (Saudi /non-Saudi) and sex (%, Q1 2017-Q3 2021)
| Saudis | Non-Saudis | Total | |||||||
| Males | Females | Total | Males | Females | Total | Males | Females | Total | |
| 2017 Q1 | 7.20 | 33.00 | 12.70 | 0.50 | 2.10 | 0.70 | 3.20 | 20.30 | 5.80 |
| 2017 Q2 | 7.40 | 33.10 | 12.80 | 0.70 | 3.30 | 0.90 | 3.30 | 22.90 | 6.00 |
| 2017 Q3 | 7.40 | 32.70 | 12.80 | 0.40 | 1.60 | 0.50 | 3.20 | 21.10 | 5.80 |
| 2017 Q4 | 7.50 | 31.00 | 12.80 | 0.50 | 2.50 | 0.70 | 3.20 | 21.10 | 6.00 |
| 2018 Q1 | 7.60 | 30.90 | 12.90 | 0.70 | 2.60 | 0.90 | 3.40 | 21.00 | 6.10 |
| 2018 Q2 | 7.60 | 31.10 | 12.90 | 0.50 | 2.50 | 0.70 | 3.30 | 20.00 | 6.00 |
| 2018 Q3 | 7.50 | 30.90 | 12.80 | 0.60 | 3.10 | 0.90 | 3.30 | 19.90 | 6.00 |
| 2018 Q4 | 6.60 | 32.50 | 12.70 | 0.60 | 4.40 | 1.00 | 2.90 | 22.60 | 6.00 |
| 2019 Q1 | 6.60 | 31.70 | 12.50 | 0.40 | 2.50 | 0.60 | 2.80 | 21.00 | 5.70 |
| 2019 Q2 | 6.00 | 31.10 | 12.30 | 0.20 | 0.90 | 0.30 | 2.50 | 21.00 | 5.60 |
| 2019 Q3 | 5.80 | 30.80 | 12.00 | 0.20 | 1.00 | 0.30 | 2.50 | 20.70 | 5.50 |
| 2019 Q4 | 4.90 | 30.80 | 12.00 | 0.30 | 1.30 | 0.40 | 2.20 | 21.30 | 5.70 |
| 2020 Q1 | 5.60 | 28.20 | 11.80 | 0.40 | 2.00 | 0.50 | 2.50 | 20.70 | 5.70 |
| 2020 Q2 | 8.10 | 31.40 | 15.40 | 2.30 | 9.50 | 3.10 | 4.70 | 25.30 | 9.00 |
| 2020 Q3 | 7.90 | 30.20 | 14.90 | 1.90 | 9.10 | 2.70 | 4.40 | 24.60 | 8.50 |
| 2020 Q4 | 7.10 | 24.40 | 12.60 | 1.70 | 9.10 | 2.60 | 4.00 | 20.20 | 7.40 |
| 2021 Q1 | 7.20 | 21.20 | 11.70 | 1.30 | 5.50 | 1.90 | 3.70 | 16.10 | 6.50 |
| 2021 Q2 | 6.10 | 22.30 | 11.30 | 1.80 | 6.30 | 2.40 | 3.50 | 17.10 | 6.60 |
| 2021 Q3 | 5.90 | 21.90 | 11.30 | 1.50 | 7.40 | 2.40 | 3.30 | 17.10 | 6.60 |
Source: Labour Force Survey, in: Labour Market Statistics, General Authority for Statistics (GAStat)
1. Data collection methodology
LFS 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 a household telephone survey conducted by GAStat. Employment data extracted from
administrative records were also introduced as a complement to the results of Labour Force Surveys
in Labour Market Statistics’ publications, starting on Q1 2017.
The present data is based on estimates drawn from the results of the quarterly Labour Force Survey.
LFS results are published as rates only. Numerical estimates are unavailable.
GAStat Labour Market Statistics: Labour Force Survey (household telephone survey conducted by
GAStat)
Sample size: 53,360 households, from all administrative regions of Saudi Arabia.
Population covered: residents in Saudi Arabia, Saudis and non-Saudis. All household members,
including domestic workers.
The survey provides estimates of the size of the total and working-age populations (aged 15 years
and above), inside and outside the labour force. It highlights the characteristics of the labour force
(employed and unemployed populations), and supplies the data to calculate key indicators of
labour market such as the unemployment and the labour force participation rates.
Household survey questionnaire:
https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/2021_Q3_LFS%20Questionnaire_EN%2022-08-2021.pdf.
Definitions:
– Unemployed individuals:
Individuals (15 years and above) who were:
- Without a job in the week preceding the household contact.
- Seriously looking for work during the four weeks prior to contacting the family. This includes those
who did not search for work during the four weeks prior to the survey because they were waiting to
find work, or to establish their own business during the next period, providing they searched for
a job before the reference period.
- People who were able to work and ready to join whenever necessary during the week preceding
the household contact or the following two weeks.
– Unemployed individuals who have been working:
Unemployed individuals (15 years and above) who had been working, then left their jobs for any
reason, and who during the time reference were: unemployed, seriously seeking a job and ready
to start working.
Unemployment rate= (number of unemployed individuals รท total labour force) x 100
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.
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- Q3, 2021
(English and Arabic versions)
https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/LM%20tables_Q3_2021_EN.xlsx
https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/LMS%20Q03%202021E-Final_0.pdf
https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/LM%20tables_Q3_2021_AR_0.xlsx
https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/LMS%20Q03%202021A-Final_2.pdf
Date of access: January 2022.