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The Human Resources Development Fund disbursed 4.9 billion Saudi riyals in direct support to individuals and establishments through its training, empowerment and guidance programs during the first half of 2026, according to the fund. More than 1.69 million beneficiaries received assistance while over 171,000 establishments took part, a 25 percent rise from the prior year. Of those establishments, 95 percent were micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, HADAF figures show. Director General Turki Al-Jawini said the outcomes demonstrate the leadership’s focus on human capital as a cornerstone of sustainable economic growth.
Al-Jawini stated, “These results reflect the support and attention extended to the human resources development sector by the wise leadership, which has positioned investment in human capital as a central pillar of national development and a foundation for building a prosperous and sustainable economy.” He added that the fund continues to build partnerships with government entities and private sector establishments to create more flexible solutions that improve Saudi citizens’ readiness for quality jobs. Those efforts align directly with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program, Al-Jawini noted in the statement.
The placement of 329,000 Saudi nationals in the local employment market during the period represented a 23 percent increase compared with the first half of 2025, the fund reported. This progress forms part of wider labor market reforms that have lowered the national unemployment rate from 12.3 percent in 2016 to 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2026, according to Vision 2030 program data. Female labor force participation has climbed from 17 percent in 2017 to 33.9 percent over the same timeframe, the data indicate.
HADAF operates as the primary vehicle for supporting private-sector hiring of Saudi nationals through wage subsidies, career guidance, training initiatives and job-matching services. The fund’s programs, including those focused on priority sectors and skills development, have enabled it to respond to shifting economic conditions and labor demands, Al-Jawini explained. Continued growth in both beneficiaries and participating establishments underscores the effectiveness of these targeted interventions, he said.
Al-Jawini emphasized, “The continued growth in the number of beneficiaries and establishments reflects the Fund’s ability to respond effectively to economic changes and evolving labor market needs.” He further highlighted the design of initiatives that address sector-specific requirements while enhancing national competitiveness. The approach contributes to higher labor productivity and the goals of the National Labor Market Strategy, according to the director general.
