Saudi Arabia Introduces New Saudization Rates: A Step Toward Empowering Local Talent

On January 22, 2025, Saudi Arabia unveiled new Saudization rates for 269 professions across multiple sectors, signaling a major shift in the country's workforce strategy. The move is a significant part of the country's efforts to strengthen its labor market and promote the employment of Saudi nationals. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, this decision aims to empower local talent, reduce unemployment, and ensure that more jobs are available to the country's growing population. Here’s a closer look at the new Saudization rates set to take effect in the coming years.

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Key Changes in Saudization Rates

Pharmacy
The pharmacy sector is seeing a gradual increase in Saudization rates, effective from July 23, 2025. The new rates are as follows:

Community pharmacies: 35% Saudization
Hospital pharmacies: 65% Saudization
Other pharmacy sectors: 55% Saudization

This applies to establishments with five or more employees in pharmacy-related professions. This gradual implementation aims to increase the participation of Saudi nationals in this critical health sector, ensuring that they play a larger role in providing healthcare services.

Dentistry
For the dentistry sector, the Saudization rate will increase over two phases:

Phase 1: 45% starting July 23, 2025
Phase 2: 55% starting July 23, 2026

This will apply to establishments with three or more workers in the dentistry field. Additionally, the minimum salary for dentists in the Saudization quota has been set at SAR 9,000, ensuring that the roles are attractive and provide competitive compensation.

Accounting
The accounting profession will see a gradual increase in Saudization over the next five years. Starting on October 22, 2025, the Saudization rate will increase from 40% to 70%. This will apply to establishments with five or more accountants, creating greater opportunities for Saudi nationals to enter the accounting field and grow in this essential business area.

Technical Engineering
For technical engineering professions, the Saudization rate will rise to 30% starting July 23, 2025. This change will apply to private sector establishments with five or more workers in technical engineering roles. The focus here is on encouraging more Saudi nationals to enter and stay within the technical and engineering fields, supporting infrastructure and innovation development in the country.

The Vision Behind Saudization

These changes are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader initiative to increase the participation of Saudi nationals in the workforce, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The Vision aims to diversify the economy, reduce reliance on oil revenues, and create new job opportunities for Saudis across various industries. The newly implemented Saudization rates target critical sectors that are essential to the nation’s healthcare, accounting, and technical engineering industries, among others.

By introducing these rates, the Saudi government hopes to not only address unemployment rates among nationals but also ensure that there is a sustainable talent pool within the country, ready to take on leadership roles in their respective industries.

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia's new Saudization rates represent a significant step forward in the country’s workforce strategy. By increasing the presence of Saudi nationals in key sectors like pharmacy, dentistry, accounting, and technical engineering, the government is making strides toward realizing its Vision 2030 objectives. These changes will not only empower Saudi talent but also help the country build a more robust, diversified economy, ultimately contributing to the long-term prosperity and development of the nation. As these new Saudization rates come into effect, the future looks promising for Saudi workers as they gain more opportunities to thrive in their chosen professions.

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