The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), Saudi Arabia, has revised the Saudization targets across key sectors in the region, effective from July 27, 2025.

The Saudization targets have been revised in collaboration with supervisory bodies like the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, the new guidelines focus on three critical fields including, pharmacy, dentistry, and technical engineering.

For pharmacy roles, the Saudization rate has been increased to:

• 35% in community pharmacies and medical complexes,
• 65% in hospital pharmacy operations,
• 55% in other pharmacy-related activities.

These quotas apply to establishments employing five or more pharmacy professionals, with a minimum salary threshold of SAR 7,000 for roles to be considered within the Saudization count.

In the dentistry sector, facilities with three or more dental practitioners must now ensure 45% of their workforce are Saudi nationals, starting immediately. The Ministry explained, “this applies to facilities with three or more dental professionals, with a minimum salary of SAR 9,000 set for quota calculations.”

“The Saudization rate for technical engineering professions, in partnership with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, will be increased to 30% of the total workforce in targeted professions, effective July 27, 2025. This decision covers all private sector establishments with five or more employees in technical engineering roles, with a minimum wage requirement of SAR 5,000 for roles to count towards the Saudization quota,” the Ministry stated.

To help companies achieve these targets, the HR Ministry has published detailed procedural guides on its official website, explaining the quota requirements and how organisations can comply. Those non-complying with these revised Saudization targets will face penalties. 

Implementation will be overseen by respective authorities, the Ministry of Health will supervise the dental and pharmacy sectors, while the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing will monitor the technical engineering sector.

The Ministry added, “Private sector establishments will also benefit from various support programs and incentives offered by the Human Resources and Social Development system, including recruitment support, training, job placement, and retention initiatives.

Additionally, businesses will have prioritized access to Saudization support programs and services provided by the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF).”

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This revised Saudization target reflects KSA's broader push for job nationalisation strategy aimed at national talent participation in the private sector and building a more sustainable labour market for Saudi nationals.

The Ministry had already initiated Phase 1 of Saudization in healthcare and tourism sector jobs earlier this year, starting in April. Meanwhile, the Saudization of engineering roles has been underway since January.