{
  "id": 12375768,
  "title": "Saudi’s expat workforce shrinks for the first time in more than two years",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/saudis-expat-workforce-shrinks-for-the-first-time-in-more-than-two",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-06T12:20:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Semafor",
    "slug": "semafor",
    "url": "https://www.semafor.com/article/10/06/2026/saudis-expat-workforce-shrinks-for-the-first-time-in-more-than-two-years"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi Arabia's expat workforce contracted for the first time in over two years, according to the government's latest quarterly report. The decline was driven by widespread layoffs, geopolitical tensions, and a shift in hiring practices by state-controlled companies. Foreign workers, excluding domestic staff, experienced a drop of 16,000 jobs between March and June 2026, largely due to a reduction in construction positions. Medical insurance coverage for expatriates remained stagnant during the same period, suggesting a continued decline in expatriate numbers. State-owned firms have been reducing their workforces or avoiding contract renewals due to budget cuts and project cancellations, notably in ambitious initiatives like NEOM. The Iran war has also raised concerns regarding the region's safety. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate among Saudi citizens has remained unchanged, and the economy continues to generate new jobs, albeit at a slower rate. Despite these challenges, forward-looking data from the Purchasing Managers' Index indicates a potential rebound in hiring activities.",
  "summary": "Foreigners employed in the country, excluding domestic workers, fell by 16,000 in the three months to June, driven by a drop in construction jobs.",
  "key_points": [
    "Saudi expat workforce declined for first time in over two years",
    "16,000 jobs lost between March and June 2026",
    "State-owned firms reducing workforces due to budget cuts"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}