Saudi Arabia has marked a significant milestone in women’s empowerment, with fresh figures showing an ongoing rise in employment and labour market participation. The progress is in line with the country’s Vision 2030 strategy, where women’s involvement in decision-making and policy development has been positioned as central to long-term reform.
According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), the total number of Saudi women exceeded 9.8 million in 2024. Employment among Saudi women rose to 31.8%, while labour market participation climbed to 36%.
The findings were published in the Saudi Women’s Statistics Report 2024, which offers a wide-ranging analysis of Saudi women aged 15 and above. Covering fields such as health, education, employment and culture, the data highlights measurable progress across multiple sectors. It is based on census findings and surveys conducted by GASTAT and affiliated institutions.
The report puts the total number of Saudi women at 9,807,663, with those aged 15–34 accounting for 35.7% of the female population. Employment outcomes have shown marked improvement, with unemployment among Saudi women dropping to 13% in 2024, down from 19% in 2022. By the fourth quarter of 2024, the unemployment rate had fallen further to 11.9%, compared with 13.9% in the same period of 2023 and 15.7% in 2022.
The statistics also detail women’s contributions beyond the labour market. In education, 35.3% of Saudi women aged 25 and above hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification. Innovation also featured prominently, with 22 Saudi women registering patents in 2024. Meanwhile, sports achievements were recorded on a global stage, with Saudi women winning 1,956 awards both locally and internationally.
Employment growth was spread across key sectors. The number of Saudi women working in the private sector stood at 997,000, with 506,000 employed in government and 157,600 in the public sector. Average weekly working hours were 39, while monthly wages varied by age group: SR4,832 for women aged 15–24, SR8,328 for those aged 25–54, and SR10,739 for women aged 55 and above.
Lifestyle trends were also captured in the findings. Physical activity has become a notable feature, with 44.6% of Saudi women aged 18 and above engaging in at least 150 minutes of weekly exercise. Recreational activities remain popular, with parks and gardens emerging as the top leisure destination, attracting 62.7% of women.
GASTAT emphasised that the Women 2024 Report is designed to help policymakers track progress and build effective strategies for gender inclusion. The authority explained that the findings were drawn from field surveys, population estimates, and data provided by multiple entities. Indicators were chosen to offer comprehensive insights into women’s empowerment and to provide benchmarks for both local and international comparison.
The figures reflect a period of momentum for Saudi women as they expand their role in society, business and public life, marking another stage in the country’s broader transformation.
