Saudi Arabia Raises Saudization of Project Management Jobs to 70%
Saudi Arabia will raise Saudization of project management professions to 70% from February 14, 2027, covering three targeted occupations.
Saudi Arabia has announced that the Saudization rate for project management professions in the private sector will be increased to 70% from February 14, 2027.
The decision was announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), in partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.
The new requirement is part of Saudi Arabia’s continuing efforts to localize specialized professions and increase the participation of Saudi nationals in the labor market.
Who Will Be Covered by the 70% Saudization Rule?
The decision will apply to private-sector establishments employing three or more workers in the targeted project management professions.
The 70% Saudization percentage will be calculated at the entity level in accordance with the requirements specified in the ministry’s procedural guide.
The three professions covered by the new decision are:
- Project Management Manager
- Project Management Engineer
- Project Management Specialist
The occupations are identified according to the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations.
When Will the New Saudization Rate Take Effect?
The 70% Saudization requirement will take effect on February 14, 2027, giving affected private-sector establishments time to prepare for the new requirement.
Employers covered by the decision will need to ensure that their workforce complies with the required localization percentage once implementation begins.
HRSD has also published a procedural guide containing details on the occupations covered by the decision, implementation mechanisms, calculation of Saudization percentages and compliance requirements.
Supporting Saudi Employment
According to the ministry, the decision aims to provide employment opportunities for Saudi men and women and increase the participation of national talent in project management professions.
It is also intended to strengthen the contribution of Saudi professionals to the economy, attract specialized national talent and improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the Saudi labor market.
The latest decision forms part of broader efforts by Saudi authorities to increase localization in specialized professions and support the labor market objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
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