The unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia rose to 3.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from 3.4% in the previous period. The jobless rate stood at 7.2% for Saudi nationals and 1.7% for non-Saudis. By gender, unemployment among females eased to 8.2% from 9.4% in Q2, while the rate for males rose to 2.5% from 2.2%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate slipped to 67.4% from 66.9%, and the employment-to-population ratio rose to 65.0% from 64.6%.
Survey data showed that 95.9% of unemployed Saudis are willing to accept job offers in the private sector. Survey findings indicate strong openness among unemployed Saudis to private sector opportunities, with 95.9% willing to take such roles. Many also show flexibility in work arrangements, about 63.8% of women and 46.2% of men, are prepared to travel an hour or more for a job. In terms of working hours, 67.8% of unemployed Saudi women are willing to work at least eight hours a day, while this rises to 83.0% among men.
