Female Participation in Saudi Workforce Rises to 36%

Women’s participation in the Saudi workforce increased after overcoming difficulties of commuting to the workplace. (Photo: Reuters)
Women’s participation in the Saudi workforce increased after overcoming difficulties of commuting to the workplace. (Photo: Reuters)
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Female Participation in Saudi Workforce Rises to 36%

Women’s participation in the Saudi workforce increased after overcoming difficulties of commuting to the workplace. (Photo: Reuters)
Women’s participation in the Saudi workforce increased after overcoming difficulties of commuting to the workplace. (Photo: Reuters)

A recent study has revealed an increase in women’s participation in the workforce by 36 percent over the past year.

The study sought to measure the impact of the Female Transportation Program (Wusool), which was launched in 2017 by the Saudi Fund for Human Resources Development (Hadaf) and Uber Company, to empower women in the private sector, increase the percentage of their participation in the labor market and enhance their job stability.

The results of study, which were revealed on Wednesday, proved the success of the program in empowering Saudi working women in the private sector over the past four years, after successfully overcoming challenges and difficulties of commuting to and from workplaces, by providing transportation trips at reasonable prices through the Uber platform and other participating transportation companies.

Wusool is one of Uber’s largest government partnerships in the world. According to the study, the program has contributed to an increase in the percentage of women’s participation in the workforce in Saudi Arabia between 2018 and 2021, from 22 to 36 percent.

The study, which was prepared by Roland Berger Global Consulting, showed that 80 percent of women, who previously relied on public transportation, admitted that the program enabled them to find more and better job opportunities.

Moreover, 21 percent of the female respondents said that the program contributed to enhancing their sense of job security, while 49 percent of the participants considered that the main benefit of Wusool was to help them save money and secure financial independence.

The study pointed out that the number of women who benefited from the program increased from 300 to about 13,000 in the first year of its launch and operation, while by late 2021, more than 120,000 women had used the program to make more than 20 million trips to and from the workplace, mostly via the Uber application.

Mohammad Qazzaz, General Manager of Uber in Saudi Arabia, said that the impact of the program was tangible, noting that it has exceeded the desired goals in increasing women’s participation in the workforce.

“We are proud that the Uber platform played a major role in achieving this... We are launching a number of initiatives aimed at increasing economic opportunities for women,” he stated.

For his part, Turki Al-Jawini, Director General of the Human Resources Development Fund, said that the program succeeded in finding solutions to the issue of mobility, which is a major challenge for employment continuity.

The various initiatives of the Human Resources Development Fund have helped boost the percentage of women’s participation in economic development to more than 30%, he underlined.



Saudi-British Business Council to Turn Sustainability, Green Finance Deals into Reality

A previous meeting between the Saudi Minister of Commerce, Chairman of the Economic and Social Committee of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council, and the UK Minister of State for Business and Trade in Riyadh (SPA)
A previous meeting between the Saudi Minister of Commerce, Chairman of the Economic and Social Committee of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council, and the UK Minister of State for Business and Trade in Riyadh (SPA)
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Saudi-British Business Council to Turn Sustainability, Green Finance Deals into Reality

A previous meeting between the Saudi Minister of Commerce, Chairman of the Economic and Social Committee of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council, and the UK Minister of State for Business and Trade in Riyadh (SPA)
A previous meeting between the Saudi Minister of Commerce, Chairman of the Economic and Social Committee of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council, and the UK Minister of State for Business and Trade in Riyadh (SPA)

The Saudi-British Joint Business Council (SBJBC) has revealed ongoing efforts to translate agreements aimed at advancing sustainability, clean energy, and green financing into tangible projects.

This comes alongside the development of new initiatives in artificial intelligence and defense technology, as part of expanding bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Cordelia Begbie, UK Executive Director of the SBJBC, stated that the council is currently exploring new sectoral opportunities as part of its 2025-2026 program, while also hosting a series of events aimed at enhancing collaboration between the two kingdoms.

SBJBC is set to support its new research unit through upcoming events that will focus on producing both independent and collaborative research papers, revealed Begbie.

These papers will address regulatory changes, sector insights, and opportunities for development, as well as highlight government initiatives designed to assist businesses in these areas.

According to Begbie, the council's activities are centered on clean technology projects, linking investors with emerging clean tech companies from both Saudi Arabia and the UK.

These initiatives also support specialized task forces that discuss policy developments and long-term opportunities in these sectors, with active participation from both public and private sector stakeholders.

The Saudi-British cooperation plan has made notable strides in investment, economic, and commercial projects, particularly through the “Saudi-British Vision 2030” partnership.

This initiative has significantly strengthened ties between the two nations in key areas such as technology, energy, infrastructure, and defense.

Additionally, the Saudi Public Investment Fund has made substantial investments in British projects, particularly in clean energy, green hydrogen, and infrastructure.

The two countries have also deepened their collaboration in renewable energy, with British companies playing a key role in Saudi Arabia’s large-scale solar and wind energy projects.

Begbie expressed strong optimism about the future of Saudi-British cooperation in climate, clean technology, hydrogen, and ammonia. The collaboration is seen as highly promising, driven by shared goals to address climate change and diversify the economy, with both nations committed to achieving net-zero emissions.

While the UK aims to reach this target by 2050, Saudi Arabia is set to achieve it by 2060, creating significant potential for bilateral cooperation.

Saudi Arabia is solidifying its position as a global leader in hydrogen production, with vast opportunities for collaboration with the UK, which has extensive expertise in hydrogen policies and technology. Geopolitical and economic ties also enhance this cooperation, as Saudi Arabia’s strategic location serves as an energy hub for Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Moreover, the UK’s environmental policy goals align with Saudi Arabia’s climate objectives, further strengthening the partnership.

Bilateral agreements, such as the Saudi-British Vision 2030 partnership, are expected to boost investments in clean technologies and sustainability.

The SBJBC continues to work with stakeholders to expand its reach and influence within Saudi Arabia. The council also oversees the ongoing growth of the Saudi-British Technology Center, an integral part of the SBJBC since its launch in 2022.

The SBJBC remains committed to enhancing private sector contributions and developing stronger commercial ties between the two nations, offering a range of services and providing access to high-level networks from both the public and private sectors in both countries.