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������Ƶ’s transformation under Vision 2030 is often measured in terms of infrastructure, investment, and diversification. Yet perhaps the most powerful driver of this change is less visible: the Kingdom’s youth. With more than 60 percent of the population under the age of 35, ������Ƶ is one of the youngest nations in the G20. This demographic is not only shaping cultural life but also powering the rise of the digital economy.

A generation born digital

������Ƶ’s youth have grown up with smartphones in their hands, with social media shaping their worldviews and global e-commerce platforms just a click away. Unlike earlier generations, young Saudis are digital natives. They expect seamless mobile experiences, fast delivery, and personalized online services as a basic standard.

This has transformed how businesses approach the Saudi market. International brands that once viewed the Kingdom as a secondary retail destination are now launching localized apps, Arabic-language interfaces, and dedicated customer service to cater to this audience. Local startups, meanwhile, are finding fertile ground in fintech, logistics, and digital services — all areas where young Saudis are the first adopters.

Spending power meets innovation

������Ƶ’s youth are not only digitally connected but also financially influential. Recent data shows that young professionals and students are key contributors to the Kingdom’s growing e-commerce sector, which has seen double-digit growth annually since 2020. Fashion, electronics, health and fitness, and online food delivery top the list of categories.

Platforms like Noon and Namshi have become household names, while global players such as Temu and H&M are expanding their Saudi footprint. At the same time, Saudi-founded ventures like Calo — which delivers personalized meal plans — are thriving, blending convenience with innovation.

What unites these brands is their ability to connect with younger audiences through digital-first strategies. Flash sales, mobile-exclusive discounts, influencer partnerships, and gamified shopping experiences all appeal to the Saudi youth’s appetite for immediacy and value.

Culture of smart shopping

While Saudi youth are enthusiastic consumers, they are also savvy. Rising awareness of financial planning and the impact of global inflation has created a culture of “smart shopping.” Young Saudis want quality and convenience, but they also look for savings.

This is where platforms like have carved out an important role in the digital economy. Founded in 2020, the platform provides exclusive coupons and promo codes for more than 1,300 leading online retailers across ������Ƶ, the UAE, and other countries. Its partners include Noon, 6th Street, Temu, Max Fashion, Calo, Level Shoes, Riva Fashion, H&M, adidas, Crocs, Namshi, Whites, Carrefour, VogaCloset, and Sun and Sand Sports.

For young shoppers, GC Coupons has become a trusted ally, offering access to discounts that align with their lifestyle needs — whether that means upgrading to the latest sneakers from adidas, shopping fashion-forward looks at Max, or stocking up on essentials at Carrefour. For instance, those looking to stretch their riyals further during seasonal promotions can find dedicated deals on and through the platform.

Beyond shopping: Building a digital ecosystem

The reliance on coupon platforms reflects a larger truth: Saudi youth are shaping not just consumer trends but also the infrastructure of the digital economy. Their demand for efficiency has accelerated investment in payments, fintech, and last-mile logistics. Buy now, pay later services, for example, have grown rapidly in the Kingdom, fueled by younger users seeking flexibility.

The government, through Vision 2030 initiatives, has encouraged this environment. Programs supporting entrepreneurship and innovation hubs have given Saudi youth the confidence to not only consume digital services but also build them. In sectors ranging from gaming to health tech, young Saudis are increasingly at the forefront as founders and developers.

Global connection

������Ƶ’s youth are not confined to local platforms; they are highly global in their outlook. They follow international fashion trends on TikTok, order beauty products from Europe, and stream content from the US and Korea. Yet their loyalty often lies with brands that adapt to their cultural expectations.

This has created a unique ecosystem in which global players compete with regional champions. The result is a market that is highly competitive, innovative, and customer-centric. For platforms like GC Coupons, which straddle both worlds by offering deals from global giants and regional favorites, the opportunity is vast.

Looking ahead

As ������Ƶ accelerates its diversification, the role of youth in the digital economy will only deepen. Their choices today are shaping the trajectory of e-commerce, fintech, entertainment, and digital culture for decades to come.

Smart shopping, mobile-first experiences, and global connectivity are more than consumer habits — they are signals of how ������Ƶ is integrating into the world economy on its own terms. In this transformation, platforms that empower youth — by saving them time, money, and effort — will remain at the heart of the Kingdom’s digital story.

Most people do not think twice about breathing — until it becomes difficult. Even then, they find explanations: the weather, a lack of exercise, or maybe just getting older. A cough lingers, climbing stairs feels harder than it used to be, but life goes on. Until one day, it does not.

As a pulmonologist, I see this pattern all the time. Patients come in, months or even years after their first symptoms appeared, and by then, the signs of interstitial lung disease are clear. The scarring in their lungs has progressed, their breathlessness is no longer subtle, and the conversation we now have is a much harder one than if they had walked in sooner. The signs that one should look out for are a persistent dry cough, shortness of breath especially during physical activity, fatigue, and chest discomfort; any of these should prompt a visit to the specialist. 

When breathlessness feels normal

The challenge with ILD is not that it is difficult to diagnose — it is that people do not suspect it. ������Ƶ has some of the best specialists, imaging technology, and treatment options, but that only matters if people know when to seek help. Right now, they don’t.

Unlike conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, ILD is not widely talked about. There are no routine screenings, no public awareness campaigns urging people to check their lung health. And so, patients wait. They adapt. They assume their symptoms are part of life rather than signs of something that needs medical attention.

I have met patients who thought their breathlessness was just a sign of aging. Others assumed it was allergies or the result of living in a dusty city. By the time they realize it is something more, their lung function has already declined. And here is the reality — what is lost cannot be regained.

Slowing the clock on ILD

Interstitial lung disease refers to a collection of over 200 disorders that cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. This scarring stiffens the lungs, making it harder to breathe and for oxygen to reach the bloodstream. As a result, patients often feel short of breath and may have a persistent dry cough.

The problem with ILD is that it does not announce itself with urgency — it slips in, quietly. And while it does not wait, it can be slowed down with a proper prescribed treatment regime from the specialist. More attention to this disease means more awareness and better understanding, which could result in earlier detection and diagnosis. 

No one expects you to panic over every cough. But imagine how much smoother life would be if you could simply consult a professional about that nagging symptom. If more people understood that persistent breathlessness and a dry cough could signal something serious, they would seek help sooner. And earlier intervention means more options, better outcomes, and the chance to slow the disease’s progression before it robs patients of what many take for granted. Treatments exist that can slow the decline of lung function, transforming months of uncertainty into years of stability. While those treatments cannot reverse the lung function decline, seeking help can improve outcomes.

The tools and expertise to improve ILD care in ������Ƶ are already in place. What is missing is awareness. The real question is: how many more will continue ignoring their breath until it is too late?

In case of any side effects of the medications, please contact the Saudi Food and Drug Authority at the unified number 19999.

• The writer, Dr. Abdullah Sakkat, is a pulmonary medicine and interstitial lung disease consultant at King Abdulaziz University Hospital with Advanced Interstitial Lung Disease Fellowship at McMaster University Sep 2019 — Sep 2020.