Saudi Arabia has achieved key milestones towards realizing its revolutionary Vision 2030, which aims to foster a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation.
Under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom is undergoing a paradigm shift across all sectors, motivated by the ambitious objectives of Vision 2030.
Vision 2030: A Catalyst for Transformation
Launched in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Vision 2030 is a transformative national plan that aims to reform the public sector, the economy, and society.
It draws on the Kingdom’s strengths, including its rich human and natural resources, investment capabilities, economic strength, strategic location, and prestigious status on the Arab, Islamic, and international arenas.
Nine Years of Achievements
Celebrating the 9th anniversary of Vision 2030, King Salman hailed the progress achieved in less than a decade, promising to continue the transformation journey to secure a more sustainable future for the coming generations.
“We praise God for the remarkable progress our nation has achieved in less than a decade – progress that has positioned Saudi Arabia as a global benchmark for transformation,” he said.
“We take great pride in the unwavering dedication of our citizens, whose efforts have laid the foundations for a new era of growth. Together, we carry the journey of progress forward, united in shaping the future of our country for generations to come,” King Salman added.
On this occasion, the Saudi Crown Prince took pride in the achievements of Vision 2030, emphasizing that work will continue to establish Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader.
“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,” he said.
“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,” he noted.
Three Main Phases
Over nine years, Vision 2030 has achieved remarkable progress in realizing its objectives through the Vision Realization Programs (VRPs) and integrated national strategies, which effectively coordinate efforts across government, private, and nonprofit sectors, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The revolutionary plan charts a path that strengthen the integration between culture and innovation, to keep pace with the accelerating global changes and unlock wider opportunities for citizens, residents and visitors.
To this end, Vision 2030 is designed as a three-phase plan, each spanning five years and builds on the successes of the previous one. The first phase laid the groundwork for transformation through structural economic, financial and social reforms.
The second phase focused on accelerating progress and maximizing the benefit from key sectors. Meanwhile, the third phase, set to kick off in 2026, will focus on enhancing the sustainability of this transformation and capitalizing on new growth opportunities.
Vision 2030 in Numbers
On the 9th anniversary of Vision 2030, the Saudi government released the annual report for 2024, offering a comprehensive overview of Vision 2030’s achievements and progress.
According to the report, 85% of the 1,502 active initiatives had been completed or are on track. Moreover, 93% of VRPs and national strategy indicators had been achieved or are on track. Eight Vision 2030 goals had been achieved 6 years ahead of schedule.
Under the ambitious program, Saudi Arabia received a historic 16.92 million foreign Umrah pilgrims, exceeding the 2024 target. It also registered 8 sites on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List, achieving 2030 target 6 years ahead of schedule.
Furthermore, Saudi home ownership increased to 65.4%, exceeding the 2024 target of 64%. The number of volunteers also surpassed the 2030 target, reaching 1.2 million.
The unemployment rate in the Kingdom dropped to 7%, achieving the 2030 target, with women participation in the labor force increasing to 33.5%. The number of employees in the SMEs reached 7.86 million.
Saudi Arabia also ranked 32nd on the World Happiness Index, and life expectancy increased to 78.8 years. The Kingdom scored 59% on the Healthcare Services Quality Index. Furthermore, 3 Saudi universities ranked among the top 200 globally.
Economic Strides
In terms of economy, the Kingdom saw an increase in investment opportunities, reaching 1,865 in 2024, surpassing the target of 1,197. Also, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) assets under management tripled to $941.33 billion.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia scored $936.83 billion on the Global GDP Ranking, securing $680.90 billion in non-oil GDP. The private sector contribution to GDP reached 47%, while the military industry localization rate recorded 19.35%.
