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Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia at 95: Ten Saudi Wins That Define the Year

On the 95th Saudi National Day, we celebrate a year of unmistakable momentum. These are the top Saudi Wins reshaping daily life and inspiring the world.

Saudi Arabia at 95: Ten Saudi Wins That Define the Year

A Year of Tangible Saudi Wins

Saudi Arabia’s 95th National Day arrives with the country hitting its stride. Vision 2030 is no longer just a blueprint; it’s a cascade of measurable outcomes touching homes, cities, schools, hospitals, and international headlines. From historic labor milestones and record-breaking tourism to Guinness-certified cultural and health achievements, the past twelve months have been a showcase of execution and national confidence.

Here are ten Saudi Wins since last National Day that capture this moment.

1) Historic Low in Saudi Unemployment

Saudi Arabia ended Q1 2025 with record-low unemployment rates. The overall unemployment rate fell to 2.8%, the lowest in the Kingdom’s history, meeting and even surpassing earlier Vision 2030 goals. Among Saudi citizens, unemployment dropped to 6.3%, also a historic low. The Kingdom’s leadership has now sharpened its ambition to bring Saudi unemployment toward 5% by 2030, reflecting a decisive shift from aspiration to delivery.

  • Non-oil Expansion: Most new jobs are emerging in tourism, tech, and entertainment, reducing reliance on oil.
  • Youth Opportunities: Young Saudis are benefiting from training programs that translate directly into jobs.
  • Global Praise: International organizations cite Saudi reforms as a model for modern labor transformation.
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Why it Matters:
That steady decline isn’t an abstract macro trend. It translates into real jobs, rising household confidence, and deeper private-sector participation across the economy.

2) Women’s Workforce Participation Surges Past 30%

One of the most powerful markers of social and economic transformation: Saudi women’s labor force participation reached roughly 36% in early 2025, well beyond the original Vision 2030 target. Female unemployment also continued to fall to 10.5%, underscoring policy traction and employer demand.

  • Leadership & Skills Climb: More women are moving into high-skill roles, especially in tech, finance, healthcare, and government
  • Entrepreneurship on the Rise: Female-led startups and SMEs are growing, supported by funding programs, incubators, and e-commerce adoption.
  • Policy Enablers Working: Childcare, transport, flexible work, and fair-hiring boost retention and advancement.
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Why it Matters:
This is nation-building in motion: families gaining income, startups gaining talent, and boardrooms gaining perspective. It’s a structural change that compounds over decades.

3) Digital Government Leaps to an 86.7% Score

The Digital Experience Maturity Index (2025) scored 86.71%, placing government services firmly in the “advanced” tier. For citizens and residents, this looks like faster permits, simpler journeys, more inclusive access, and less time lost to paperwork.

  • Easy Access: Many services now in one app or portal with simple steps.
  • Business Boost: Quick licenses and online payments help companies start sooner.
  • Inclusive by Design: Services are more accessible, with language support and mobile use anytime.
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Why it Matters:
Digital trust is national trust. When services are quick and predictable, entrepreneurship accelerates and everyday life gets easier.

4) The World’s Fastest-Growing Tourism Economy

UNWTO-tracked data shows Saudi Arabia leading the world in growth of international tourism receipts versus pre-pandemic baselines, with arrivals surging as well. The momentum from 2024’s 116 million visits carried into 2025, keeping the Kingdom at the center of global travel recovery.

  • Demand Catalysts: eVisa, stopover programs, expanded air routes, and a packed events calendar bring people in.
  • Higher-Value Mix: Growth is strongest in luxury, regenerative coastal stays, heritage culture (AlUla/Diriyah), and MICE tourism.
  • Capacity Scaling: New hotels, airport upgrades, and new cruise homeports are leading to steady, nationwide growth.
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Why it Matters:
Tourism anchors new jobs, supports SMEs and creatives, and strengthens cultural exchange with visitors from every continent.

5) A Record Summer: 32 Million Tourists (+26%)

This year’s “Saudi Summer” program drew over 32 million visitors, a 26% jump from summer 2024, confirming tourism as a true four-season pillar. Visitor spending hit new highs as families explored heritage, culture, sports, and coastal escapes across the Kingdom.

  • Seasonality Cracked: High occupancies across regions show tourism is now truly year-round, not just peak-winter.
  • Family-first Pull: Festivals, sports calendars, and heritage routes increased length of stay and per-trip spending.
  • Local Lift-offs: The surge flowed to SMEs (guides, restaurants, transport, and shops) spreading gains beyond major hubs.
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Why it Matters:
Seasonality is the toughest nut to crack in tourism. Sustained summer growth means year-round jobs and stronger regional economies from Aseer to AlUla.

6) Riyadh Metro: A Mega Mobility Milestone

The capital’s long‑awaited Riyadh Metro was inaugurated with staged public openings through late 2024 and early 2025, forming a six‑line network that transforms daily commutes. The system reduces road congestion, improves air quality, and delivers precious time back to families.

  • Reliable Commutes: High frequencies and real-time tracking make cross-city travel predictable.
  • Better Connections: Park-and-ride, feeder buses, and last-mile links tie neighborhoods to jobs and services.
  • Smart & Inclusive: Contactless pay, accessible stations, and shaded, walkable corridors improve comfort and safety.
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Why it Matters:
World‑class public transport is a productivity engine, and a statement about building people‑centric cities.

7) Noor Riyadh: 16 Guinness World Records™ Holder

Noor Riyadh, the festival of light and art, now holds 16 Guinness World Records™, including recognition as the world’s largest light‑art festival. It has turned Riyadh into an open‑air gallery, attracting global creators and millions of visitors.

  • Global Cultural Magnet: Record-breaking installations draw international artists and millions of visitors.
  • Night-time Economy Boost: Extended hours, pop-ups, and creative markets lift jobs and local spending.
  • Community & Learning: Workshops, tours, and youth programs seed skills and careers in the creative arts.
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Why it Matters:
Culture is a growth sector. This is proof that public art can lift civic pride, attract visitors, inspire youth and build new careers for Saudi creatives.

8) Seha Virtual Hospital: The World’s Largest

Saudi Arabia’s Seha Virtual Hospital holds a Guinness World Records™ recognition as the largest virtual hospital on the planet, connecting hundreds of hospitals and expanding specialized care across the Kingdom. Its capabilities were leveraged again during Hajj to scale medical services safely.

  • Nationwide Access: 24/7 tele-consults and remote ICUs bring top specialists to every province.
  • Faster, Safer Surge Care: AI imaging triage and command-center routing scaled capacity during Hajj without overcrowding.
  • System Efficiency: Fewer patient transfers, shorter waits, and tele-mentoring that upskills local clinicians.
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Why it Matters:
Health equity meets high tech. When expertise travels digitally, every province moves closer to world-class care, without patients traveling long distances.

9) Saudi Pavilion Wins Innovation Award at Expo 2025 Osaka

A sustainability-meets-science triumph: the Saudi Pavilion won an Innovation Award for its 3D coral reef project, developed with KAUST and local innovators to help restore marine ecosystems. It’s a story of Saudi research, startup energy, and environmental leadership showcased on a world stage.

  • Tangible Restoration: KAUST-designed 3D-printed reefs boost habitat complexity and coral recovery.
  • Built to Scale: Startup partnerships enable local production, deployment, and monitoring along Saudi coasts.
  • Blue-economy Gains: Healthier reefs support fisheries, protect shores, and elevate Red Sea eco-tourism.
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Why it Matters:
Vision 2030 is about diversified excellence. Winning for ocean restoration at a global expo tells the world something new about Saudi ingenuity.

10) 16 Saudi Elements on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists

Saudi Arabia now counts 16 elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage lists. From Al-Ardah sword dance to Arabic coffee traditions and Al-Qatt Al-Asiri wall art, along with rose practices and musical craftsmanship, these living practices are protected and promoted at home and abroad.

  • Cultural Continuity: Apprenticeships, festivals, and school programs pass skills to new generations and women artisans.
  • Heritage Economy: Certified crafts, performances, and heritage tourism create jobs and sustain local SMEs.
  • Global Recognition: Multinational inscriptions strengthen cultural diplomacy, exchanges, and international collaborations.
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Why it Matters:
Heritage is an asset. Safeguarding intangible culture empowers artisans, anchors identity for the next generation, and welcomes the world to learn our stories.

Other Major Projects Advancing This Year:

What’s Next: Saudi Arabia’s Bold Future

The next chapter isn’t just about venues and megaprojects. It’s about people. The real headline is millions of brighter careers, faster services that respect our time, cities that breathe cleaner air, and a creative economy where Saudi talent leads the world. With confidence, competence, and compassion, we’ll turn today’s progress into tomorrow’s opportunity for families, for youth, and for generations yet to come.

A National Day of Confidence - and Continuity

As we celebrate the 95th Saudi National Day, let us remember this: Vision 2030 is not just changing how the world sees our Kingdom. It is changing how we live, how we work, and how we dream every single day. With every milestone we achieve, we are building a Saudi Arabia that is more connected, more creative, more competitive, and more compassionate. This is our legacy. A legacy not just to celebrate today, but one we must continue to work for tomorrow.

Happy 95th National Day! A future built on progress, powered by people, and guided by the truth that our pride is in our nature.

FAQs

What is the Ranking of Saudi Arabia in Digital Transformation?

The Kingdom also ranked 4th globally in the Digital Services Index, 2nd among G20 countries, and 1st regionally

How Much of Saudi GDP is Tourism?

In 2025, tourism is projected to contribute over 10% of Saudi Arabia’s GDP, up from 5% in 2023 and 3% in 2019.

Is Riyadh Metro the Largest in the World?

Not by overall size. But the Riyadh Metro holds a global record: it is the longest driverless metro system in the world, spanning 176 km across 6 lines and 85 stations.

How Does Seha Virtual Hospital Change Healthcare?

It brings specialized expertise to every region via telemedicine and AI, demonstrated at national scale during Hajj.

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