The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced that it will raise the localization rate for project management jobs in the private sector to 70%, effective February 14, 2027.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) explained that the decision targets all private sector establishments that employ 3 or more workers in the targeted professions, at the entity level.
The professions covered by the decision include: Project Management Director, Project Management Engineer, and Project Management Specialist, according to the unified Saudi classification of professions, provided that the provisions of the decision apply to the covered establishments in accordance with what is stated in the procedural guide.
The decision comes as part of the efforts of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in cooperation with supervisory bodies, to localize specialized professions and increase the participation of citizens in the labor market, thereby enhancing national competencies and raising the efficiency of the labor market, in support of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The unemployment rate among Saudi citizens reached 6.4% in the first quarter of 2026, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics, marking a decline compared to previous periods.
