Saudi Arabia Boosts Local Workforce Quotas: A Strategic Move for Key Sectors!
Saudi Arabia is set to enhance job opportunities for local professionals in sectors such as dentistry, pharmacy, accounting, and technical engineering as part of its ongoing Saudization efforts aligned with the Vision 2030 plan.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), in collaboration with relevant authorities in health, commerce, and housing, aims to localize 269 professions.
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This initiative builds on previous measures, which included raising Saudization rates in critical areas like radiology, medical laboratories, and physiotherapy.
For instance, the Saudization target for radiology is now set at 65%, while medical laboratories will require a 70% localization rate, and physiotherapy and therapeutic nutrition will aim for 80% by October 2024.
Starting from July 27, community pharmacies and medical complexes will be mandated to achieve a 35% Saudization rate.
Hospitals will need to meet a 65% requirement, and other pharmacy-related businesses will have a 55% target. These regulations will apply to companies employing five or more pharmacy professionals.
Launched in 2011, the Saudization program aims to increase Saudi employment in the private sector by setting industry-specific quotas.
This initiative has significantly contributed to reducing unemployment, which fell from 12.8% in 2018 to 7.1% by mid-2024, surpassing the Vision 2030 goal of 8%.The Kingdom has since updated its target to achieve a 5% unemployment rate by 2030.
In the dentistry sector, a phased Saudization plan is set to reach a 45% rate by mid-2025 and increase to 55% by 2026 for practices with three or more professionals, requiring a minimum salary of SR9,000 ($2,399).
For accounting, the HRSD, in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, will gradually raise Saudization rates over the next five years, starting with a 40% requirement for businesses employing five or more accountants and aiming for 70% by the final phase.
Technical engineering will see a 30% Saudization requirement starting on July 27, impacting companies with five or more engineers.
The HRSD has made detailed guidelines available on its website to help businesses understand the new rules, including implementation procedures and penalties for non-compliance.
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