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RIYADH: ������Ƶ’s overall unemployment rate stood at 3.2 percent in the second quarter of 2025, down 0.1 percentage point year on year, underscoring ongoing labor-market resilience. 

According to the General Authority for Statistics, the yearly decline came even with a slight 0.4 point rise compared with the preceding quarter. 

The data also showed the total labor force participation rate reached 67.1 percent, up 0.9 points year on year, indicating that more people are engaged in work or actively seeking jobs.

The year-on-year improvement in headline unemployment, alongside higher overall participation, aligns with the Kingdom’s broader diversification push under Vision 2030, which seeks to expand private-sector opportunities and sustain non-oil growth. 

A central pillar of this strategy has been Saudization policies, designed to increase the share of nationals in the workforce, especially in sectors traditionally dominated by expatriates. These efforts have been reinforced by record gains in female participation, which has nearly doubled over the past decade and remains a critical driver of labor-market expansion. 

Among Saudi nationals, the unemployment rate registered 6.8 percent, improving by 0.3 points year on year. The employment-to-population ratio for Saudis came in at 45.9 percent, while Saudi participation stood at 49.2 percent, both lower on a yearly basis, reflecting a temporary easing in engagement after strong gains in recent periods. 

In its latest release, GASTAT stated: “The results showed that 95.8 percent of unemployed Saudis are willing to accept job offers in the private sector.” 

By gender, Saudi women saw an unemployment rate of 11.3 percent in the second quarter, up 0.8 percentage points compared to the preceding quarter. Female participation eased 1.8 points to 34.5 percent, and the female employment-to-population ratio slipped 1.9 points to 30.6 percent, moves consistent with the broader quarterly cool-down. 

The report added: “Additionally, 61.1 percent of unemployed Saudi females and 45.1 percent of unemployed Saudi males are willing to commute to work for at least one hour.” 

For Saudi men, participation declined 2.4 points to 64 percent, and their unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3 percent during the same period. 

While quarter-on-quarter easing in participation and a slight rise in unemployment reflect normal variability during a heavy project delivery cycle, the annual trend remains favorable. 

Youth indicators offered a mixed but generally stabilizing picture quarter to quarter. The unemployment rate for Saudi female youth, aged 15 to 24, edged down 0.1 points to 20.6 percent, with participation at 17.4 percent and an employment-to-population ratio of 13.8 percent. 

Saudi male youth unemployment also dipped 0.1 points to 11.5 percent, with participation at 31.6 percent and employment-to-population at 28 percent. 

Among core working-age Saudis aged 25 to 54, participation was 67.3 percent and unemployment 5.9 percent in the second quarter, reflecting a quarter-on-quarter softening from elevated first quarter levels. 

The survey also shed light on job-search behavior. Unemployed Saudis used an average of 3.6 active methods, led by direct applications to employers at 72.4 percent, use of the national platform Jadarat at 56.3 percent, and tapping friends or relatives at 50.5 percent, a snapshot of how jobseekers are engaging with both formal and informal channels. 

Furthermore, the findings noted that 68.1 percent of unemployed Saudi females and 85.7 percent of unemployed Saudi males indicated that they are willing to work for eight hours or more per day. 

Globally, the average unemployment rate across the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries is just 4.9 percent as of mid-2025, according to the OECD’s latest data, underscoring how Saudi is performing below many advanced economies. 

������Ƶ’s 3.2 percent positions it well below many advanced economies. 

Within the Gulf Cooperation Council region, unemployment rates and labor dynamics vary significantly. ������Ƶ’s joblessness remains higher than some Gulf peers with small national populations and high migrant ratios, such as the UAE or Kuwait, whose official unemployment rates are often reported in the low single digits. 

RIYADH: Thai AirAsia X, which operates under a low-cost business model, has announced its first-ever direct flights between Riyadh and Bangkok.

The new route will commence on Dec. 2, with four weekly flights every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, reinforcing AirAsia’s strategy of expanding its network into the Middle East.

Thailand’s Ambassador to ������Ƶ Darm Boontham congratulated Thai AirAsia X on the move, which will connect the capitals of Thailand and ������Ƶ.

Speaking at Thailand’s Embassy on Tuesday, he said: “This route marks a new era of connectivity between the two kingdoms, building bridges for trade, investment, cultural exchange, and personal connections.

“It will strengthen our relationship, fostering friendship and mutual understanding, and open new opportunities for both nations.

“Thai AirAsia X’s expansion to this region is a prime example of how to grasp the immense growth potential the Middle East offers to Thai businesses.”

He thanked ������Ƶ’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and King Khalid International Airport for their support. 

Ahman Mad-Adam, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand in Dubai, said: “The launch of Thai AirAsia X’s Riyadh-Bangkok service is a milestone that will strengthen tourism and people-to-people ties between Thailand and ������Ƶ.

“This direct connectivity makes travel more seamless and opens opportunities for Saudi visitors to explore Thailand’s diverse offerings — from world-class hospitality, shopping, and medical tourism to halal-friendly services and natural attractions.

“With this new route, we are confident ������Ƶ will be one of Thailand’s fastest-growing source markets, driving sustainable tourism growth in the years ahead.”

Pattra Boosarawongse, CEO of Thai AirAsia X, said: “The launch of flights between Riyadh and Bangkok is a significant milestone in connecting the people of Thailand and ������Ƶ and strengthening ties between the two countries.

“For travelers from Riyadh, this new route gives them access to the best of Bangkok — from its rich culture and cuisine to its shopping and world-class hospitality — as well as connectivity to AirAsia’s extensive network across ASEAN, and Asia. 

“We view Riyadh as a strategic destination that aligns with AirAsia Group’s fleet expansion and network development. This launch will not only serve Thai travelers but also guests from across ASEAN — including Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines — as well as from Japan, who can now conveniently connect to Riyadh through our extensive network.”

She added that the new service will not only serve as a bridge between Riyadh and Bangkok, but also connect the two countries and their cultures.  

For Saudi travelers, Bangkok is a gateway to Thailand’s renowned destinations such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Krabi, which are especially popular for leisure and family travel.

In addition, Thailand has long been recognized as a leading destination for medical tourism, with world-class healthcare facilities, while also catering to Muslim travelers with halal-friendly services and diverse lifestyle options.

The new direct route will shorten the journey time between Riyadh and Bangkok to just seven-and-a-half hours, making travel easier and more accessible for both leisure and business purposes.

Saudi nationals will also benefit from Thailand’s e-visa and visa-on-arrival facilities, which simplify entry procedures and enhance convenience for inbound visitors.

Thai AirAsia X operates under a low-cost business model. Guests have the option to purchase additional services according to their preferences, including seat selection, baggage allowance, and hot meals.

The flights will be operated by Thai AirAsia X’s widebody Airbus A330 aircraft, configured with 285 seats, including 30 premium flatbeds and 255 standard economy seats.