Saudi Arabia to enforce 70% Saudization in project management roles from February 2027

Saudi Arabia will introduce a 70% Saudization requirement for project management professions in the private sector from 14 February 2027, as part of ongoing efforts to expand the participation of Saudi nationals in specialised occupations.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) announced that the policy will be implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.

Under the new regulation, private sector establishments employing three or more workers in targeted project management positions will be required to maintain a Saudization rate of 70% at the entity level.

The mandate will apply to several occupations listed under the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations, including project management directors, project management engineers and project management specialists.

According to the ministry, the measure supports broader efforts to localise specialised professions, strengthen national talent and improve labour market participation in line with the Kingdom's Labour Market Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.

To help organisations prepare for the changes, the ministry has published a procedural guide outlining the implementation framework, covered occupations, compliance requirements and the methodology for calculating Saudization rates.

The guidance is intended to help employers understand the new requirements and ensure they meet the mandated localisation targets before the policy comes into effect.

Saudi Arabia has accelerated its workforce localisation agenda in recent years by introducing Saudization requirements across several industries and professional categories, including engineering, marketing, accounting, healthcare and hospitality.

The latest move signals the government's continued focus on increasing employment opportunities for Saudi citizens in high-skilled occupations while improving workforce capabilities and labour market efficiency.

The ministry said the initiative would contribute to developing national competencies and support the Kingdom's long-term economic diversification goals under Vision 2030.