Average monthly salary in Saudi Arabia H1 2020, by sector
The average monthly wage for a public worker in Saudi Arabia in the first half of 2020 was about 11.4 thousand Saudi riyals. In comparison, the average monthly wage for a worker in the private establishment sector was 5.3 thousand Saudi riyals in that year.
Gender and income
The labor force participation gender gap in Saudi Arabia was 74 percent, among the highest in the Middle East and North Africa. This gap is especially visible considering that female labor force participation rate amongst nationals in Saudi Arabia, which was only 18.3 percent. The gender gap of the Saudi Arabian labor markets is also reflected in the difference in average monthly earnings of men and women. In all sectors apart from technical professions and the humanitarian fields as well as sales, men tend to earn more than women.
Nationality and income
The oil boom allowed Saudi Arabia to adapt the fiscal policy of a rentier state, which was heavily reliant on foreign skilled and unskilled workers. This allowed the Saudi Arabian government to offer on one hand foreign workers attractive salaries and work benefits and on the other hand its nationals decent social and welfare programs which leveled the low employment rate amongst Saudi citizens. The volatility of the energy market in the last two decades and inclining oil resources however forced the Saudi government to rethink its economic structure. The Saudi Arabian government introduced social and economic reforms as part of the Agenda 2030 to prepare and strengthen their country for a future with a diversified economy, not reliant on oil revenue and subsequently self-sufficient citizens not reliant on government handouts. Amongst the leading social reforms is the ‘Saudization’ of the workforce. Which forces specially the private sector to increase the employment of Saudi Nationals.
Gender and income
The labor force participation gender gap in Saudi Arabia was 74 percent, among the highest in the Middle East and North Africa. This gap is especially visible considering that female labor force participation rate amongst nationals in Saudi Arabia, which was only 18.3 percent. The gender gap of the Saudi Arabian labor markets is also reflected in the difference in average monthly earnings of men and women. In all sectors apart from technical professions and the humanitarian fields as well as sales, men tend to earn more than women.
Nationality and income
The oil boom allowed Saudi Arabia to adapt the fiscal policy of a rentier state, which was heavily reliant on foreign skilled and unskilled workers. This allowed the Saudi Arabian government to offer on one hand foreign workers attractive salaries and work benefits and on the other hand its nationals decent social and welfare programs which leveled the low employment rate amongst Saudi citizens. The volatility of the energy market in the last two decades and inclining oil resources however forced the Saudi government to rethink its economic structure. The Saudi Arabian government introduced social and economic reforms as part of the Agenda 2030 to prepare and strengthen their country for a future with a diversified economy, not reliant on oil revenue and subsequently self-sufficient citizens not reliant on government handouts. Amongst the leading social reforms is the ‘Saudization’ of the workforce. Which forces specially the private sector to increase the employment of Saudi Nationals.
