Unemployment rate · Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate
The Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate measures the share of the labour force in Saudi Arabia, people working or actively looking for work, who have no job but want one.
- Importance
- Medium
- Released
- Quarterly
- Next release
- Currency
- SAR · Saudi riyal
- Central bank
- The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)
Latest figures
The latest release for Q2, published on 30 September 2026, came in at 3.0%, down from 3.1% the time before.
Over the last 7 releases it ranged from 2.8% to 3.5%, averaging 3.2%; it has been falling for three releases in a row.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Sep 2026 | Q2 | 3.0% | – | 3.1% |
| 30 Jun 2026 | Q1 | 3.1% | – | 3.5% |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Q4 | 3.5% | – | 3.4% |
| 29 Dec 2025 | Q3 | 3.4% | – | 3.2% |
| 30 Sep 2025 | Q2 | 3.2% | – | 2.8% |
| 29 Jun 2025 | Q1 | 2.8% | – | 3.5% |
| 27 Mar 2025 | Q4 | 3.5% | – | 3.7% |
Why it matters
Full employment is part of most central banks' mandate. A falling unemployment rate means a tighter labour market, faster wage growth and more inflation pressure, which can keep the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) hawkish; a rising rate is one of the clearest recession signals (the US "Sahm rule" flags a 0.5-point rise in the three-month average).
How it is calculated
the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) usually runs a household survey: people are counted as unemployed if they had no work, were available and looked for a job recently. The rate is unemployed ÷ (employed + unemployed). Registered jobless and claimant counts instead count people signed on for benefits. Participation is the labour force ÷ working-age population.
Unemployment rate = unemployed ÷ labour force × 100
Labour force = employed + unemployedWhat changes mean
- A lower rate than expected usually supports the Saudi riyal.
- Check participation: unemployment can fall because people stop looking, which is not good news.
- Broader measures (US U-6) include part-timers who want more hours.
Higher than expected: A higher unemployment rate than expected points to a weakening labour market: the Saudi riyal tends to soften as markets price in lower rates.
Lower than expected: A lower unemployment rate than expected signals a tight labour market: it tends to support the Saudi riyal and push bond yields up.
A short history
Systematic unemployment statistics began in the 1930s Depression; the International Labour Organization's definition, adopted in 1982, is used by most countries today.
The riyal is pegged to the US dollar, so Saudi rates follow the Fed.
Questions
What is the Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate?
The Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate measures the share of the labour force in Saudi Arabia, people working or actively looking for work, who have no job but want one.
What was the latest Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate?
3.0% for Q2, published on 30 September 2026.
When is the next Saudi Arabia Unemployment Rate?
On Thursday 31 December 2026 at 06:00 UTC.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.