HT Evening Brief Sept 30: Flydubai lands in Saudi Arabia after hijack scare; Virat Kohli rises to No. 2 in ODI rankings

Saudi Arabia's unemployment rate dropped to 6.5% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 6.8% in the same period last year, according to figures released by the Saudi General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The slight increase in unemployment compared to the first quarter of 2026, which stood at 6.4%, is attributed to the updated index data based on the 2024 population census.

Economic reforms and localization policies have contributed significantly to the decline, with strategic labor market initiatives and the Human Capital Development Program playing a crucial role. These measures have helped align the skills of job seekers with those required by the labor market, fostering sector development and creating investment opportunities.

The private sector now employs over 2.5 million Saudis, while social reforms have empowered women in the workforce, leading to a record low unemployment rate of 10.3% among them. The decline in unemployment was driven by initiatives providing access to workplaces, childcare programs, and workplace support.