From 17% to 36%: Female employment in Saudi Arabia surges past Vision 2030 target

TL;DR:

• Female labour-force participation jumped from ~17% in 2015 to 36.2% in Q3 2024, well above Vision 2030’s initial 30% target .
  
  
• “Mada” digital payments saw e-commerce sales grow 25.8% to SAR 197.4 billion (USD 52.6 billion) in 2024, driving consumer convenience and financial inclusion .
  
  
• Women now lead 45% of SMEs, supported by legal reforms like equal pay, anti-harassment protections, and expanded maternity/paternity leave. Despite progress, gaps remain in board-level representation, conservative social norms, and wage disparities .

Veiled Social Transformation Beneath Mega-Projects
While NEOM, Qiddiya , and the Red Sea Project dominate headlines, a powerful shift is taking hold within Saudi society: women are entering previously closed career pathways, using digital tools, and driving small businesses—symbolising deep-rooted transformation.

Surpassing Targets: Saudi Women in the Workforce

• GASTAT reports Saudi female labour-force participation at 36.2% in Q3 2024, up from ~17% when Vision 2030 launched. Participation by young women (15–24) reached 18.0%.
  
  
• This rise has exceeded the 30% participation goal achieved ahead of 2030, prompting the government to aim for 40% by 2030 according to Finance Minister Al‑Jadaan.
  
  
  
• Young women’s workforce entry continues its upward trend, reflecting changing societal norms.
  
  

Private Sector Inclusion & Female Entrepreneurship

• Nearly 45% of SMEs in Saudi are led by women, per Minister Al‑Jadaan.
  
  
• Legal reforms, including wage parity, anti-harassment protections, expanded leave, and eased guardianship rules, have laid the groundwork for sustainable participation .

Payment Infrastructure: Digital Fluency & Financial Access

• The “Mada” payments network processed SAR 197.4 billion (USD 52.6 billion) in e-commerce transactions in 2024, a 25.8% increase from 2023.
  
  
• With 47.7 million cards issued and 8.6 billion NFC transactions, the system has enabled contactless payments and reduced cash dependency.
  
  
• This financial modernization spanning POS, ATMs, mobile apps is essential in supporting women's economic autonomy .
  
  

Education & Training: The Enablers of Change

• Saudi women now constitute over 52% of university enrolment, often outpacing men.
  
  
• Vocational and technical training programs accessible to women including through institutions like TVTC and HRDF’s Doroob equip Saudis with practical workplace skills.
  
  

Persistent Challenges Amid Progress

• Despite improvements, women remain underrepresented in executive leadership and board positions.
  
  
• Social attitudes, particularly over guardianship, household roles, and work-life balance continue to impede equal contribution .
  
  
• Wage disparities, though legally addressed, persist especially in private-sector compensation .
  
  

Economic Impacts: Growth, Diversification, Stability

• Saudi non-oil GDP now accounts for 52% of total output.
  
  
• Citizen unemployment declined to 7.1% (Q2 2024), with female citizen unemployment dropping to 12.8%.
  
  
• Increased female earnings are boosting household incomes and consumption, reinforcing macroeconomic stability.
  
  

Verdict: Society in Transition
Underneath the grandeur of Vision 2030’s flagship projects lies a societal evolution powered by women’s advancement and digital modernization. Elevated labour participation, fintech adoption, entrepreneurship, and education reflect a maturing knowledge-based economy. Yet, for this change to be enduring, greater representation in leadership, ongoing workplace protections, and cultural integration remain crucial.
If current momentum continues, Saudi Arabia might not only meet but surpass its social goals cementing these reforms as legacy-defining, far more profound than physical megaprojects.