Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has released the 2024 annual report for Vision 2030, marking the ninth year since the launch of the Kingdom’s ambitious national plan to transform itself into a global model for development, economic growth, and social advancement.

The report serves as a comprehensive evaluation of the achievements recorded over the past years, drawing on a wide set of key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to Vision 2030’s objectives.

According to the report, 93 percent of the KPIs for Vision 2030 programs and national strategies have either achieved, exceeded, or are close to reaching their interim targets.

Furthermore, 674 out of 1,502 initiatives launched since the Vision’s inception have been completed, with 85 percent of initiatives either completed or progressing on track as of the end of 2024.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz expressed deep pride in the Kingdom’s achievements, stating, "We take great pride in the achievements our nation has realized in less than a decade, transforming Saudi Arabia into a global model of change across all levels."

King Salman further affirmed the Kingdom’s future ambitions, saying, "We remain committed to continuing the journey of building sustainable development for generations to come, striving for even greater growth and prosperity in the years ahead."

Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman also praised the nation’s progress, emphasizing the resilience and determination of Saudi citizens.

"As we mark the ninth year of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, we take pride in the achievements of our sons and daughters. They have proven that challenges cannot stand in the way of their ambitions. We have met — and in some cases exceeded — our targets, and we will continue moving steadily toward our 2030 goals."

The Crown Prince also renewed the leadership’s commitment to the Kingdom’s global aspirations, stating, "We renew our commitment to doubling efforts, accelerating execution, seizing every opportunity, and strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a leading nation on the global stage."

The report detailed the progress made across various sectors. Eight KPIs have already surpassed their 2030 targets ahead of schedule.

Among these targets are the registration of Saudi heritage sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, a historic reduction in the national unemployment rate, and an increase in female participation in the workforce, which rose to 33.5 percent, surpassing the Vision 2030 target of 30 percent.

Other notable advancements include the growth in the number of volunteers in the Kingdom, reaching over 1.2 million by the end of 2024, as well as the establishment of more than 571 regional headquarters for global companies.

The Kingdom also recorded a surge in tourist arrivals, exceeding the target of 100 million visitors well ahead of 2030. Additionally, Saudi Arabia advanced significantly in international digital governance rankings, reaching seventh place globally in the United Nations’ E-Participation Index and sixth place in the UN E-Government Development Index.

The report further highlighted that 24 indicators have exceeded their interim targets for 2024, reflecting strong growth in private sector contributions to GDP, an increase in Saudi home ownership rates, improvements in healthcare service quality, and the expansion of assets managed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Five other indicators, including levels of foreign direct investment and the number of Saudi universities ranked among the world’s top 200 institutions, have achieved their interim goals.

Several key indicators are nearing full achievement, performing between 85 percent and 99 percent, such as non-oil GDP growth, local content contribution, and Saudi Arabia’s position on the World Happiness Index.

The report openly acknowledged three indicators that have not yet met their targets: environmental performance, the number of Saudi cities ranked among the world’s top 100 livable cities, and the share of non-oil exports in GDP. The report emphasized that these areas are under continuous review, supported by focused programs designed to drive further progress.