HADAF supports employment of 329,000 Saudis in first half of 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) supported the employment of 329,000 Saudi citizens in the local labour market during the first half of 2026, marking a 23% increase from the same period last year.

The latest figures highlight the Fund’s expanding role in supporting national employment, developing workforce capabilities and advancing the localisation objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program.

HADAF said its training, empowerment and career guidance programmes are designed to improve the readiness of Saudi talent and support access to quality and sustainable employment opportunities across the Kingdom’s labour market.

The Fund disbursed approximately SR4.9 billion in direct support to individuals and establishments benefiting from its programmes and products during the first half of 2026. More than 1.69 million Saudi citizens benefited from HADAF’s services and programmes during the period.

The number of establishments benefiting from the Fund’s services also exceeded 171,000 across different regions and economic sectors, representing a 25% increase compared with the first half of 2025.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) accounted for 95% of the establishments benefiting from HADAF’s services. The figures underline the Fund’s focus on helping smaller businesses attract, train and develop Saudi talent while contributing to job creation and private-sector growth.

HADAF Director General Turki Al-Jawini said the results reflect the continued focus on human capital development as a key component of Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation.

He said the Fund is working through partnerships with government entities and private-sector organisations to develop more flexible support and empowerment solutions that improve the readiness of Saudi citizens and help them access sustainable employment opportunities.

According to Al-Jawini, the continued increase in beneficiaries and participating establishments demonstrates HADAF’s ability to respond to changing economic conditions and evolving labour market requirements.

The Fund is also developing programmes targeting priority sectors, with a focus on strengthening national skills and improving the competitiveness of Saudi workers.

HADAF said it will continue to enhance its support and empowerment programmes to improve the efficiency of national human capital, raise labour market productivity and contribute to the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Labour Market Strategy.

The latest employment figures come as Saudi Arabia continues to accelerate the participation of national talent in the private sector, with workforce development, skills enhancement and sustainable employment remaining central to the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification agenda.