Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — In honor of International Women’s Day, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics released data highlighting the increasing role of Saudi women in the workforce, leadership positions, and entrepreneurship.

According to the report, Saudi Arabia is home to 9.8 million women, with 36.2% participating in the labor force as of the third quarter of 2024.

The employment-to-population ratio for Saudi women reached 31.3%, reflecting steady progress in workforce inclusion.

The report also shows that more Saudi women are stepping into leadership and business roles.

In 2024, 78,356 Saudi women held senior management positions, while 551,318 women registered businesses in 2023.

Freelancing is also on the rise, with 449,725 Saudi women obtaining freelance work permits in 2023.

Meanwhile, the tourism industry saw a boost in female employment, with 111,259 Saudi women working in tourism-related jobs in 2024.