Female unemployment — all countries

Female unemployment — Saudi Arabia

Female unemployment in Saudi Arabia in 2025 — 9.69%. Ranked 136 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 4.65 pp.

2025 9.69% −1.18 pp vs 2024
World rank 136of 182
Period maximum 25.41%2015
Period minimum 4.98%1992

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of female labor force

Female unemployment — Saudi Arabia, 1991–2025010203019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 5.04%1992: 4.98%1993: 5.54%1994: 6.09%1995: 6.61%1996: 6.97%1997: 7.33%1998: 7.65%1999: 8.1%2000: 9.3%2001: 9.16%2002: 11.64%2003: 12.72%2004: 13.64%2005: 14.43%2006: 15.12%2007: 14.79%2008: 14.54%2009: 17.11%2010: 18.74%2011: 20.81%2012: 22.63%2013: 23.52%2014: 25.23%2015: 25.41%2016: 24.34%2017: 23.68%2018: 22.89%2019: 23.29%2020: 24.71%2021: 18.61%2022: 16.86%2023: 12.43%2024: 10.86%2025: 9.69%
Change over the period: +4.65 pp Annual average: 0.14 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia 9.69%
World 4.94%
Western Asia computed 14.26%
High-income countries computed 4.72%
Female unemployment — Saudi Arabia, by year Saudi Arabia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 9.69 −1.18 pp
2024 10.86 −1.57 pp
2023 12.43 −4.43 pp
2022 16.86 −1.74 pp
2021 18.61 −6.11 pp
2020 24.71 +1.43 pp
2019 23.29 +0.4 pp
2018 22.89 −0.79 pp
2017 23.68 −0.66 pp
2016 24.34 −1.07 pp
2015 25.41 +0.19 pp
2014 25.23 +1.71 pp
2013 23.52 +0.89 pp
2012 22.63 +1.82 pp
2011 20.81 +2.07 pp
2010 18.74 +1.64 pp
2009 17.11 +2.57 pp
2008 14.54 −0.25 pp
2007 14.79 −0.33 pp
2006 15.12 +0.69 pp
2005 14.43 +0.79 pp
2004 13.64 +0.92 pp
2003 12.72 +1.09 pp
2002 11.64 +2.48 pp
2001 9.16 −0.14 pp
2000 9.3 +1.2 pp
1999 8.1 +0.45 pp
1998 7.65 +0.32 pp
1997 7.33 +0.37 pp
1996 6.97 +0.36 pp
1995 6.61 +0.51 pp
1994 6.09 +0.55 pp
1993 5.54 +0.56 pp
1992 4.98 −0.06 pp
1991 5.04

About the indicator

The share of the female labor force that is unemployed. The gap with male unemployment reflects both the structure of labor demand and the barriers women face in reaching employment. In some countries the indicator looks favorable only because many women are outside the labor force altogether — it should be read alongside female labor force participation.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.