Saudi Arabia: FDI inflows reach $ 5.9 billion in Q1 2025

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) reported on Sunday that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows reached SAR 22.2 billion (USD 5.9 billion) in Q1 2025, while overall unemployment rate (including Saudis and non-Saudis) stood at 2.8%.

The data indicated a 44% increase in FDI inflows compared to the same period last year, when it amounted to SAR 15.5 billion (USD 4.1 billion), despite a 7% decline compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, which recorded SAR 23.9 billion (USD 6.4 billion).
FDI inflows into the Kingdom totaled SAR 24.0 billion (USD 6.4 billion) in Q1 2025, reflecting a 24% year-on-year increase but a 6% drop compared to Q4 2024.

GASTAT revealed that the overall unemployment rate (including Saudis and non-Saudis) stood at 2.8% in the first quarter of 2025. The total labour force participation rate reached 68.2%, while the participation rate among Saudis increased to 51.3% compared to Q4 of 2024.

According to the Labour Market Statistics Bulletin for Q1 2025, the labour force participation rate among Saudi males rose to 66.4%, and their unemployment rate declined to 4%. The results also highlighted the success of women's empowerment initiatives, which contributed to increasing women’s economic participation and enhancing their role in advancing growth and sustainable development. The labour force participation rate among Saudi females rose to 36.3%, while their unemployment rate dropped to 10.5%, compared to the previous quarter.

Among young Saudi women (ages 15–24), the employment-to-population ratio rose to 14.6%, and their labor force participation rate increased to 18.4%. For young Saudi males in the same age group, the employment-to-population ratio decreased to 29.2%, and their labor force participation rate declined to 33%. Their unemployment rate dropped to 11.6% compared to Q4 2024. These outcomes reflect the impact of improved labor market policies in Saudi Arabia, driven by its strong and evolving performance and increasing attractiveness.