Saudi Arabia announces further Saudisation increases for key professions

At a glance

• Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has announced that private sector employers must achieve a 70% Saudisation rate in project management professions by 14 February 2027.
• The requirement will apply to private sector establishments employing three or more workers in project management roles and forms part of the Kingdom's ongoing workforce localisation strategy.
• The Ministry has published a procedural guide outlining the professions covered by the new requirement and the mechanisms for achieving compliance.
• Several additional Saudisation increases are scheduled to take effect in the coming months, including a 100% requirement for administrative support professions from 4 October 2026 and a 50% requirement for accounting professions from 27 October 2026.
• A new 15% Saudisation requirement for sports centres and gyms will also take effect from 18 November 2026, highlighting the continued expansion of localisation measures across sectors.

Saudi Arabia's MHRSD has announced a series of upcoming increases to Saudisation requirements across multiple professions and sectors, continuing the Kingdom's efforts to increase the participation of Saudi nationals in the workforce.

Most notably, private sector establishments employing three or more workers in project management roles will be required to achieve a 70% Saudisation rate in those professions by 14 February 2027. The MHRSD has issued a procedural guide setting out the professions covered by the requirement and providing guidance on compliance.

The project management measure forms part of a broader programme of localisation initiatives that will take effect over the coming months. Key upcoming changes include:

• Administrative support professions: Saudisation requirement increasing to 100% from 4 October 2026.
• Accounting professions: Saudisation requirement increasing to 50% from 27 October 2026.
• Sports centres and gyms: Introduction of a 15% Saudisation requirement from 18 November 2026.
• Project management professions: Saudisation requirement increasing to 70% from 14 February 2027.

Employers operating in affected sectors should review their workforce composition and recruitment plans to ensure they are prepared to meet the new localisation thresholds before the relevant implementation dates.