Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030: Nine Years of Transformative Achievements and Global Leadership

Riyadh, April 26 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Guided by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues its transformative journey toward a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation, as envisioned in Saudi Vision 2030.

Driven by the firm belief that "all success stories start with a vision, and successful visions are based on strong pillars," the Kingdom has leveraged its human and natural resources, strategic location, and global standing to achieve remarkable milestones across all sectors.

Marking the ninth year since the launch of Vision 2030, the Vision 2030 Annual Report 2024 offers a comprehensive overview of progress achieved through national strategies, vision realization programs, and integrated reform initiatives. Implemented in three five-year phases, Vision 2030 has already exceeded expectations, with each phase building on the achievements of the last.

Unprecedented Achievements Across All Sectors

According to the report, 85% of the 1,502 active initiatives are either completed or on track, with 674 completed and 596 progressing steadily. Notably, 93% of national program and strategy indicators have met, exceeded, or are close to meeting their 2024 targets, while eight Vision 2030 goals have been achieved six years ahead of schedule.

In the tourism sector, the Kingdom surpassed its 2030 target by welcoming over 100 million tourists, and eight Saudi sites have been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Volunteerism also flourished, with 1.2 million volunteers, exceeding the one-million target.

Women's empowerment saw extraordinary gains, with women's labor force participation reaching 33.5%, exceeding the 2030 goal of 30%, while the 7% unemployment target was successfully met. Saudi Arabia’s e-participation ranking rose by 32 places to seventh globally, and its UN E-Government Development Index position advanced to sixth place worldwide.

The number of international companies establishing regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia also surpassed the 2030 target, reaching over 571.

A Vibrant Society

Achievements in creating a vibrant society were evident with a historic 16.92 million foreign Umrah pilgrims visiting the Kingdom, significantly exceeding the 2024 target. Homeownership among Saudi households reached 65.4%, surpassing the 2025 goal, while healthcare coverage expanded to 96.4% of population centers.

The average life expectancy rose to 78.8 years, moving closer to the 80-year Vision 2030 goal. Physical activity rates among adults and youth also exceeded interim targets, contributing to healthier lifestyles across the Kingdom.

A Thriving Economy

The Kingdom’s economic indicators reflect strong performance, with PIF assets under management more than tripling to SAR3.53 trillion, and the private sector’s contribution to GDP reaching 47%.

Employment growth in SMEs saw 7.86 million employees, surpassing the 2024 target, while Saudi universities continued their global rise, with four universities among the world’s top 500 and King Saud University ranking an impressive 90th globally.

An Ambitious Nation

Progress under the "ambitious nation" pillar included 71.67% of large companies offering CSR programs, and the non-profit sector's contribution to GDP reaching 0.99%. The non-profit workforce expanded to 0.64%, reflecting broader social development.

The Kingdom also rose to 16th place globally in competitiveness, leading the MENA region in venture capital with a 40% share.

Saudi Arabia’s health sector continued to break records, with the Seha Virtual Hospital recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest virtual hospital globally and seven Saudi hospitals among the top 250 worldwide.

Global Leadership and Sustainable Growth

Saudi Arabia’s leadership on the world stage continues to grow. The Kingdom will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup independently, established the Esports World Cup, and saw Madinah and AlUla recognized as global tourist destinations.

In culture and technology, Saudi Arabia successfully registered 16 cultural elements on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage List, launched the first specialized college of arts at King Saud University, and introduced the Arabic-language ALLaM AI model on IBM’s watsonx platform.

Environmental achievements include the planting of over 115 million trees, the rehabilitation of over 118,000 hectares of land, and the launch of renewable energy projects that position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in clean energy solutions. Notably, the world’s first solar-powered desalination plant was inaugurated, further enhancing sustainability efforts.

A Future Full of Promise

Reflecting on these achievements, HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed:

"Nine years into Vision 2030, we stand proud of what our people have accomplished. They have turned ambition into action and goals into milestones. We have not only met key targets – we have surpassed many. Looking ahead, our resolve is stronger than ever. We will accelerate delivery, embrace every opportunity, and further elevate the Kingdom’s position as a global leader."

As the Kingdom moves into the third phase of Vision 2030, the focus will remain on sustaining the transformation, expanding global influence, and securing a prosperous future for generations to come.

The full Vision 2030 Annual Report 2024 is available at:www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/annual-reports