Photo: Mardetanha · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Saudi Arabia: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Saudi Arabia is placed 45th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 63.12 (2025); Labour Income Share 30.23 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
45th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Saudi Arabia on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
63.12
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Saudi Arabia: 63.12. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Western Asia
- 86.9 Qatar
- Land neighbours
- United Arab Emirates 76.89 · Iraq 35.1 · Jordan 33.43 · Kuwait 71.77 · Oman 66.15 · Qatar 86.9 · Yemen 27.37
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
3.038
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Saudi Arabia: 3.038. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Western Asia
- 0.13 Qatar
- Land neighbours
- United Arab Emirates 2.174 · Iraq 15.48 · Jordan 16.54 · Kuwait 2.181 · Oman 3.251 · Qatar 0.13 · Yemen 17.32
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
1.662
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Saudi Arabia: 1.662. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Western Asia
- 0.456 Qatar
- Land neighbours
- United Arab Emirates 1.501 · Iraq 27.14 · Jordan 7.857 · Kuwait 2.403 · Oman 3.813 · Qatar 0.456 · Yemen 45.59
02Over time
Which way Saudi Arabia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
Saudi ArabiaWorld median
Saudi Arabia rose from 46.76 in 2000 to 63.12 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Saudi Arabia World median 2025 63.12 57.720 2024 62.91 57.694 2023 62.72 58.158 2022 60.24 57.688 2021 59.31 56.066 2020 57.63 55.691 2019 57.75 57.871 2018 55.84 56.911 2017 55.52 56.738 2016 57.29 56.845 2015 56.40 56.788 2014 54.98 56.774 2013 53.95 56.229 2012 52.28 56.289 2011 50.29 56.297 2010 48.57 56.212 2009 46.92 56.255 2008 46.64 57.308 2007 45.86 56.933 2006 45.32 56.685 2005 45.15 56.129 2004 45.12 55.465 2003 45.23 55.630 2002 45.45 55.843 2001 46.14 56.018 2000 46.76 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
Saudi ArabiaWorld median
Saudi Arabia fell from 30.32 in 2004 to 30.23 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Saudi Arabia World median 2025 30.23 46.230 2024 30.78 46.060 2023 31.15 45.900 2022 28.02 45.615 2021 30.95 45.433 2020 32.25 47.267 2019 30.85 46.277 2018 30.29 46.187 2017 30.87 46.467 2016 30.09 46.798 2015 28.69 46.876 2014 21.37 47.281 2013 20.38 46.887 2012 20.32 46.231 2011 20.58 45.679 2010 24.21 46.024 2009 28.74 47.071 2008 20.55 45.312 2007 24.23 45.246 2006 25.43 45.670 2005 26.61 46.265 2004 30.32 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
Saudi ArabiaWorld median
Saudi Arabia fell from 4.57 in 2000 to 3.038 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Saudi Arabia World median 2025 3.04 5.08 2024 3.52 5.15 2023 4.01 5.21 2022 5.59 5.34 2021 6.62 6.04 2020 7.66 6.38 2019 5.64 5.36 2018 6.03 5.35 2017 5.89 5.59 2016 5.60 5.90 2015 5.60 6.41 2014 5.88 6.58 2013 5.60 6.71 2012 5.62 6.79 2011 5.77 6.90 2010 5.55 7.04 2009 5.38 6.67 2008 5.09 5.79 2007 5.73 6.00 2006 6.25 6.50 2005 6.05 7.09 2004 5.82 6.80 2003 5.56 6.95 2002 5.27 6.91 2001 4.62 6.96 2000 4.57 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
Saudi ArabiaWorld median
Saudi Arabia fell from 5.103 in 2000 to 1.662 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Saudi Arabia World median 2025 1.662 28.67 2024 1.698 29.04 2023 1.574 29.33 2022 1.795 29.67 2021 2.245 30.01 2020 2.509 30.54 2019 3.241 29.98 2018 1.694 30.15 2017 2.171 29.93 2016 2.287 29.91 2015 2.366 30.26 2014 2.285 30.47 2013 2.456 31.14 2012 2.626 31.00 2011 2.899 31.41 2010 3.316 32.37 2009 3.629 32.59 2008 3.518 31.76 2007 3.833 33.47 2006 4.036 34.27 2005 4.275 34.66 2004 4.615 35.51 2003 4.866 35.90 2002 5.053 35.96 2001 5.096 35.27 2000 5.103 35.67
03In context
Saudi Arabia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Saudi Arabia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Qatar | =8th | 86.9 | 27.76 | 0.13 | 0.456 |
 United Arab Emiratescompare | 10th | 76.89 | 36.84 | 2.174 | 1.501 |
 Kuwait | 12th | 71.77 | 37.74 | 2.181 | 2.403 |
 Oman | 43rd | 66.15 | 30.86 | 3.251 | 3.813 |
| Saudi Arabia | 45th | 63.12 | 30.23 | 3.038 | 1.662 |
 Jordan | 144th | 33.43 | 45.9 | 16.54 | 7.857 |
 Iraq | 168th | 35.1 | 41.38 | 15.48 | 27.14 |
 Yemen | 181st | 27.37 | 32.38 | 17.32 | 45.59 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Saudi Arabia in the topic’s list.
Latvia42nd- Oman43rd
Bulgaria44th- Saudi Arabia45th
Ecuador46th
Poland47th
Lithuania48th
04Context, no vote
Where Saudi Arabia is ahead of the world, and behind
23 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median8
Statistics on which Saudi Arabia does better than the middle country measured.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.819.01241.81No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 9.012 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 176th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,74257,1816,742▲ Improved since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 57,181 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 11th of 151 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,384130,78347,384▼ Worsened since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 130,783 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 16th of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1665.2622.16▼ Worsened since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 65.26 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 28th of 182 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6665.161.66▲ Improved since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 65.1 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 58th of 182 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23062,74425,230▼ Worsened since 2010
Saudi Arabia: 62,744 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 50th of 151 · derived.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8310.0112.83▲ Improved since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 10.01 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 112th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 030No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 3 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Behind the world median7
Statistics on which Saudi Arabia does worse than the middle country measured.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3116.1614.31▼ Worsened since 2019
Saudi Arabia: 16.16 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 41st of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.923.645.9No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 23.6 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 988498▲ Improved since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 84 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3633.5753.36▲ Improved since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 33.57 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 160th of 182 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.616.641.61▲ Improved since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 6.64 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.161.7619.16No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 1.76 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 175th of 179 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.071.4232.07No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 1.42 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 333▼ Worsened since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 3 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0132.2115.01No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 32.21 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 10th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.952,125657.95No real change since 2020
Saudi Arabia: 2,125 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5174.4359.51Moved since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 74.43 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 38th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8823.0718.88Moved since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 23.07 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 55th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8940.7738.89Moved since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 40.77 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 75th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.382.49914.38Moved since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 2.499 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 149th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.845.54731.84No real change since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 5.547 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 176th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Saudi Arabia
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2022), Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2022), Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees, Trade Union Density and Working Poverty Rate. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Saudi Arabia’s 14 topics
Work & Labour is Saudi Arabia’s 3rd best-placed topic of 14. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Mobility & Trade40th of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technology45th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour45th of 1824/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital50th of 1963/3 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 54th of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing58th of 2003/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge77th of 1983/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation69th of 1764/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience83rd of 1934/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 86th of 1844/4 keys
- Peace & Security123rd of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties163rd of 1983/4 keys
- Gender & Equality167th of 1834/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability185th of 1863/4 keys
No standing on Poverty & Inequality, Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Saudi Arabia can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysHighest in Western Asia
Qatar=8th4/4 keysThis page
Saudi Arabia45th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Saudi Arabia and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Saudi Arabia on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Saudi Arabia rank on work & labour?
Saudi Arabia is placed 45th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Saudi Arabia?
63.12 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Saudi Arabia?
30.23 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Saudi Arabia compare with Iraq on work & labour?
Iraq is placed 168th of 182, and Saudi Arabia 45th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Iraq 35.1, Saudi Arabia 63.12; Labour Income Share: Iraq 41.38, Saudi Arabia 30.23; Unemployment Rate: Iraq 15.48, Saudi Arabia 3.038; Vulnerable Employment: Iraq 27.14, Saudi Arabia 1.662.
How have Saudi Arabia’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 46.76 in 2000 to 63.12 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 30.32 in 2004 to 30.23 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 4.57 in 2000 to 3.038 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 5.103 in 2000 to 1.662 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Saudi Arabia?
No current reading is published for Saudi Arabia on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees, Trade Union Density and Working Poverty Rate. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 23 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Saudi Arabia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Saudi Arabia (banner) — Mardetanha, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Saudi Arabia: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/saudi-arabia/work