Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate was 3.04% in 2025, ranked 41st globally. This represents a 13.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate stood at 3.04% in 2025, a decline of +0.46pp from 2024. Saudi Arabia ranked 41st globally.
Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate has exhibited a significant decline over the past decade, with the latest figure standing at 3.04% in 2025. This represents a substantial improvement from the all-time peak of 7.66% in 2020, marking a 53.44% reduction in unemployment. The country's unemployment rate has been steadily decreasing since 2020, with the 2025 value being the lowest recorded since 1991, when it stood at 7.32%. Compared to its peer countries, Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate is comparable to that of Ghana and Madagascar, both of which share the same global rank of #41. The reduction in unemployment can be attributed to various economic reforms and initiatives implemented by the government to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil exports. Should oil prices continue to stabilize, this trend is likely to persist, however, a significant disruption in the global energy market could alter the trajectory of Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3.04% | −0.46pp | #41 |
| 2024 | 3.52% | −0.48pp | #59 |
| 2023 | 4.01% | −0.87pp | #74 |
| 2022 | 5.59% | −0.54pp | #104 |
| 2021 | 6.62% | −1.03pp | #107 |
| 2020 | 7.66% | +2.04pp | #115 |
| 2019 | 5.64% | −0.39pp | #104 |
| 2018 | 6.03% | +0.13pp | #110 |
| 2017 | 5.89% | +0.29pp | #103 |
| 2016 | 5.60% | +0.01pp | #89 |
| 2015 | 5.60% | −0.12pp | #85 |
| 2014 | 5.88% | +0.31pp | #88 |
| 2013 | 5.60% | +0.08pp | #83 |
| 2012 | 5.62% | −0.15pp | #84 |
| 2011 | 5.77% | +0.22pp | #85 |
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 unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate was 3.04% in 2025. Ranked 41st globally. This represents a 13.2% decrease from the previous year.
Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate peaked at 7.66% in 2020.
The lowest unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia was 3.04% in 2025.
Saudi Arabia ranks 41st globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The unemployment rate of Saudi Arabia in 2025 was 3.04%. This ranks 41st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_saudi-arabia_unemployment-rate,
title = {Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/saudi-arabia/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}