Saudi Arabia Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Saudi Arabia's labor force participation was 65.10% in 2025, ranked 57th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Saudi Arabia's labor force participation stood at 65.10% in 2025, a decline of +0.10pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 65.96% by 2026. Saudi Arabia ranked 57th globally.
Saudi Arabia's labor force participation rate has shown a steady improvement over the past three and a half decades, rising from 51.35% in 1990 to 65.34% in 2023, its all-time peak. However, this upward trend has recently plateaued, with the rate remaining at 65.10% in 2025. While this still ranks Saudi Arabia 57th globally, it is comparable to that of peer countries such as Estonia, which has a labor force participation rate of 65.13%, and Uruguay, which has a rate of 64.99%. The rate also remains significantly lower than that of more developed economies, such as Denmark, which has a labor force participation rate of 64.94%. The labor force participation rate in Saudi Arabia has improved by 13.45 percentage points since 2003, when it reached its all-time trough of 47.89%. To continue improving labor market outcomes, Saudi Arabia may need to address issues related to female participation and youth employment, which have historically been lower than those in other countries with comparable economic profiles.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 66.88% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 66.42% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 65.96% | - | - |
| 2025 | 65.10% | −0.10pp | #57 |
| 2024 | 65.20% | −0.14pp | #57 |
| 2023 | 65.34% | +1.54pp | #59 |
| 2022 | 63.80% | +0.29pp | #71 |
| 2021 | 63.51% | +1.10pp | #68 |
| 2020 | 62.41% | +1.21pp | #74 |
| 2019 | 61.20% | +1.79pp | #93 |
| 2018 | 59.42% | +0.43pp | #107 |
| 2017 | 58.99% | −1.70pp | #115 |
| 2016 | 60.69% | +0.94pp | #96 |
| 2015 | 59.75% | +1.34pp | #107 |
| 2014 | 58.41% | +1.26pp | #122 |
| 2013 | 57.15% | +1.76pp | #126 |
| 2012 | 55.40% | +2.03pp | #137 |
| 2011 | 53.37% | +1.94pp | #142 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Saudi Arabia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Saudi Arabia's labor force participation was 65.10% in 2025. Ranked 57th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from the previous year.
Saudi Arabia's labor force participation peaked at 65.34% in 2023.
The lowest labor force participation in Saudi Arabia was 47.89% in 2003.
Saudi Arabia ranks 57th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Saudi Arabia's labor force participation is projected to reach 65.96% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Saudi Arabia in 2025 was 65.10%. This ranks 57th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_saudi-arabia_labor-force-participation,
title = {Saudi Arabia Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/saudi-arabia/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}