THE QUALITY OF LIFE
Most people will by now have heard of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program. Another
program, the Quality of Life Program 2020, has received much less coverage THE QUALITY OF LIFE
Sports
The program aims to better utilize educational institutions and sports clubs in towns and cities to promote sports in the community in addition to upgrading the infrastructure available for sporting activities. The program aims to provide 492 locations suitable for sports training and practice and to increase the utilization of existing sports facilities from 8 percent to 55 percent.
In the context of school athletics, the program promotes the participation of girls, aiming for 325,000 girls participating in physical education classes, qualifying 7,500 teachers and preparing 1,500 schools with gymnasiums.At the national level it aims to The Quality of Life Program 2020 seeks to promote sports, entertainment, arts and culture and thereby enhance the quality of life for Saudi citizens and residents.
The overarching goal of the program is to have at least three Saudi cities included in the list of the world’s top 100 most livable cities by 2030. That said, the program focuses on improving the lifestyle of Saudi nationals and residents throughout the kingdom.
Total direct investments in the program to 2020 are expected to reach SAR 74.5 billion ($19.8 billion). Of the direct
prepare the best athletes in the kingdom to represent the kingdom in the Olympic Games.
Entertainment
The program encourages the private sector and foreign investors to play a major role in the development of new entertainment facilities. Specifically, the program seeks to build a water park, three theme parks and sixteen family entertainment centers by 2020.
Arts and Culture
The program also seeks to promote the kingdom’s contribution to arts and culture by developing seven cultural and artistic disciplines: visual arts, performing arts, filmmaking, poetry, literature, design and national heritage.
By refining the talents of established and up-and-coming Saudi artists, the kingdom’s presence on the international arts and culture stage will be greatly enhanced. The program includes plans for the creation by 2020 of an
“island” for arts and culture in Jeddah, the opening of 45 cinemas, 16 theaters, 42 libraries, and a Royal Arts Complex in Riyadh.
Investments
Government investments will account for SAR 50 billion ($13.4 billion) while investments made available to the private sector will amount to SAR 23.7 billion ($6.4 billion) As a result of the program, it is anticipated that more than 346,000 jobs will be created.