RIYADH — The unemployment rate among Saudis saw a slight increase in the third quarter of 2022. According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) labor force survey released on Thursday, the unemployment rate rose to 9.9% in the third quarter of this year from 9.7% in the second quarter. According to the report, the overall unemployment rate in the Kingdom (Saudis and non-Saudis) reached 5.8% in Q3, remaining unchanged from Q2. Among Saudi females, the participation rate rose to 37%, compared to 35.6% in the Q2. The employment-to-population ratio of Saudis rose to 47.3% on a quarterly basis during the same period. Saudis account for 51.7% and 48% of the labor force in the public and private sectors, respectively. On the other hand, non-Saudis employed in the private sector made up 69.2%. GASTAT indicated that the Labor Market Publication's results depend on a household survey conducted by GASTAT that falls under the classification of social statistics. Data is collected through a sample of households in different administrative regions in Saudi Arabia and an electronic questionnaire. The survey provides estimates and indicators related to the labor force of the working-age population in the age group 15 years and above. It also provides an estimate of the population (inside and outside the labor force), as well as the most important labor market indicators, such as the unemployment rate, labor force participation rate, and others.
