Saudi Arabia’s transformation is no longer a question of possibility. It is happening, and it is visible across sectors, industries, and communities. Nowhere is this more evident than in the workforce. In less than a decade, we have seen unprecedented gains in women’s participation, youth empowerment and skills development. This is progress worth celebrating on our Kingdom’s 95th National Day.
Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has redefined what inclusion looks like. What was once seen as a goal for the future has become a visible part of daily life, in boardrooms, classrooms, and across every major sector. From policy reform to cultural shifts, the presence and participation of Saudi women in the workforce is no longer the exception. It is a point of national pride. And it hasn’t happened in isolation. It has taken support from families, leaders, educators, and institutions across society to unlock this change. On this National Day, that shared commitment, to progress, to opportunity, and to unlocking potential, is something we celebrate together.
Yet the bigger question is not how far we have come, but how we sustain and build on this success. Because if Vision 2030 has shown us anything, it is that readiness is not a milestone. It is a discipline. That discipline must now guide how we evolve from inclusion into full capability.
Much of the conversation about workforce transformation has centred on representation. Getting more people into the workforce, specifically women and our youth, is a national priority, and the results are clear. Female workforce participation has more than doubled since 2016, reaching over 36%. This is a powerful signal of social and economic change, one that is not only reflected nationally but also inside our own organisation. In our offices across the Kingdom, 37% of our workforce are females. This reflects not only the strength of Saudi talent, but the growing role of women in shaping the Kingdom’s future workforce.
But inclusion must also mean recognising the value of every generation, not just the newest. Youth empowerment will always be at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s growth story, but sustainable transformation requires a broader lens. Mid-career professionals, senior leaders, and those transitioning between industries must also be supported. This is especially true in sectors like technology, healthcare, and energy, where change is rapid and the need for experienced leadership remains critical. A workforce strategy that only invests in the young risks underutilising the experience, knowledge, and resilience of those already driving the economy. Real inclusivity means preparing all age groups to adapt, contribute, and lead in a dynamic economic landscape.
Learning, too, is a shared national asset. When we think of national infrastructure, we often picture roads, ports, or digital networks. But learning, too, is infrastructure, and arguably the most decisive one. The World Economic Forum estimates that 50% of employees globally will need reskilling by 2025 due to technological change. For Saudi Arabia, that means embedding lifelong learning, mentorship, and professional development into the fabric of institutions. It also means creating ecosystems where learning does not stop at graduation but continues across careers and generations. National Day is the right moment to recognise that skills, like physical infrastructure, must be maintained, upgraded, and expanded if they are to support sustainable growth.
Vision 2030 sparked a historic shift in how we think about the workforce, and how we support it. But transformation cannot be confined to a timeline. National resilience depends on looking past 2030 and asking what kind of workforce the Kingdom will need in 2040 and beyond. This is not about predicting future industries with perfect accuracy. It is about building agility into the system. A society that can adapt quickly to new opportunities, challenges, and disruptions will not only keep pace with global change, but it will also lead it. That requires a deliberate focus on building capability ecosystems rather than celebrating one-off milestones.
Every National Day is an opportunity to reflect on where we stand. Today, we stand proud of a workforce that is more inclusive, capable, and ambitious than ever before. But pride cannot lead to complacency. Progress must be renewed, sustained, and shared. Saudi Arabia is more than ready for the future. The real test is to ensure that future generations, across all stages of life and work, are ready too. That is how we turn readiness into resilience, and ambition into achievement.
Sources:
Saudi Vision 2030 Official Site, Workforce Empowerment Updates
World Bank, Labour Force Participation in Saudi Arabia
IMF, Saudi Arabia: 2025 Outlook
GASTAT, Labour Market Indicators Q1 2025
PwC, Future of Work in the Middle East
