Saudi Arabia’s cultural sector continues to expand, with the latest Ministry of Culture figures highlighting progress toward making culture a way of life. Heritage sites, literary activities and cultural initiatives have drawn millions of visitors and participants, reflecting a society increasingly engaged with its culture.
Cultural commissions across the Kingdom are working to broaden access to culture in Saudi cities, with efforts centered on strengthening national identity, extending cultural activities to different regions and segments of society, and improving quality of life for citizens and residents.
The Ministry of Culture’s latest statistics showed continued growth in the sector, with rising attendance at activities and events and increasing numbers of trainees and graduates in cultural disciplines.
In 2025, the cultural ecosystem recorded 6,314 days of cultural events, while employment in the sector reached 282,709 and the number of graduates in cultural disciplines stood at 29,211. Cultural infrastructure expanded to 94 facilities.
More than 14.1 million people visited national and world heritage sites, while the number of sites open to visitors reached 232. Historic Jeddah alone attracted 12 million visits during the year.
The literary sector also drew significant interest, with more than 1.3 million visitors attending the Riyadh International Book Fair. Authorities also registered 2,260 new archaeological sites.
More than 9 million visits to cultural events
Visits to cultural events in 2025 reached 106% of the annual target of 9 million, encompassing activities on the annual calendar as well as cultural assets operated by the Ministry of Culture and its affiliated commissions and entities.
The sector recorded 6,314 cultural days, achieving 210% of its 3,000-day target.
New cultural houses opened in additional cities and regions, bringing the total across Saudi Arabia to eight.
Meanwhile, the fifth edition of the Literary Partner Initiative staged 3,668 events across the Kingdom in 2025, attracting 71,000 visitors.
Book vending machines expand access to reading
Book vending machines across Saudi Arabia sold more than 13,000 books, making reading material readily available in parks, neighborhoods and public squares.
Short-story dispensers recorded about 673,000 reads during 2025, as part of efforts to encourage reading and broaden public exposure to literature.
Other initiatives included the launch of the “Qari’e” platform in cooperation with the Authority for the Care of People with Disabilities, designed to facilitate access to digital platforms for local and international books for blind and visually impaired users.
The “Masmooa” audio-device initiative is also being introduced in public spaces across Saudi cities, allowing people to listen to a range of audiobooks.
