Official Figures Highlight Disability Inclusion and Workforce Empowerment in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Authority for Persons with Disabilities continues to expand efforts aimed at improving quality of life and empowering people with disabilities across Saudi Arabia through enhanced services, workforce integration, and social inclusion initiatives aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

According to newly released figures, approximately 1.35 million people in the Kingdom are living with disabilities or various forms of functional difficulties, representing around 5.9 percent of the population. Saudi citizens account for nearly 82 percent of that total.

Officials explained that the needs of people with disabilities vary across several areas, including professional training, rehabilitation, access to suitable employment opportunities, and improved support services and digital platforms that encourage independence and social participation.

Recent data also showed that the percentage of people with disabilities capable of working reached 14.7 percent during the final quarter of 2025, approaching the Vision 2030 target of 15 percent by the end of the decade.

Meanwhile, Saudi Shura Council has called for stronger coordination between relevant authorities to better assess training requirements and create employment opportunities tailored to the capabilities and qualifications of people with disabilities.

The council also emphasized the importance of expanding rehabilitation and care services across all regions of the Kingdom while adopting more unified methods for measuring user satisfaction and evaluating services.

The authority confirmed that it is working closely with public, private, and nonprofit sectors to create a more inclusive environment based on equality and non-discrimination principles, ensuring fair access to employment opportunities.

Recent initiatives include cooperation agreements with the Human Resources Development Fund and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation to strengthen training and career-readiness programs.

The authority has also launched specialized initiatives such as the “Qimam” leadership program, designed to enhance leadership and professional skills for employees with disabilities working across government, private, and nonprofit sectors. More than 120 participants have graduated from the program over the past two years.

Experts believe these initiatives reflect Saudi Arabia’s broader transformation toward empowerment-based development by focusing on capability building and reducing barriers to active participation in the labor market and society.