Dammam, 5 November 2026 – The chairman of the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce, Fahad bin Abdullah Al‑Faraj, revealed that the number of Saudi women formally registered in the labour market has risen to roughly 1.7 million. Of those, 1.1 million are employed in the private sector, a sign that women’s participation is expanding beyond public‑sector roles.

Al‑Faraj presented the data while opening the 2026 Economic Women’s Forum, an event inaugurated by His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, governor of the Eastern Province. He emphasised that the figures reflect a broader trend of increasing female contribution to the kingdom’s economic activity and a widening of opportunities for women across a range of industries.

According to the chairman, women’s share in the technology sector has risen sharply, from just 7 % in 2017 to 35 % today. Their representation in senior and middle‑level managerial positions now stands at 43.9 %, underscoring a qualitative shift in the kinds of roles women are occupying.

The rise, Al‑Faraj argued, is the direct result of national initiatives and empowerment programmes that aim to tap the country’s female talent pool. These policies are aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and increase women’s participation in the workforce.

Supporting this view, Eng. Manal bint Abdulrahman Al‑Bawardi, president of the Council of Businesswomen, noted that Vision 2030 has helped cement women’s status as an active partner in creating economic opportunities and driving growth. She warned, however, that the next phase must move from mere empowerment to tangible economic impact. “We need to enhance the value‑added contribution of women, foster entrepreneurship, and broaden their access to markets and financing,” she said.

The data also suggest that the private sector is now the primary employer of Saudi women, accounting for roughly 65 % of female employment. This shift is consistent with the kingdom’s broader strategy to expand private‑sector jobs and reduce reliance on public‑sector employment.

Industry analysts see the numbers as a positive signal for the kingdom’s long‑term economic diversification goals. The increased presence of women in technology and management is expected to boost productivity, stimulate innovation, and improve the overall competitiveness of Saudi businesses.

While the statistics are encouraging, both Al‑Faraj and Al‑Bawardi highlighted remaining challenges, including the need for more supportive financing mechanisms for women‑led enterprises and greater representation of women in traditionally male‑dominated sectors such as construction and energy.

The Economic Women’s Forum will continue over the next two days, featuring panels on entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and policy measures aimed at further integrating women into the Saudi economy.

Sources (learn more):

al-madina.com — https://www.al-madina.com/article/1012054/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-17-%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86