Saudi Arabia is undergoing one of the most ambitious economic transformations in the world, and at the core of this change lies a redefined vision for workforce development. As the Kingdom aggressively rolls out its Vision 2030 agenda, job creation is accelerating across strategic sectors such as construction, hospitality, tourism, and infrastructure. This momentum is creating a sharp rise in demand for skilled expatriate professionals to help deliver on the scale, quality, and speed required.
The construction sector alone is expected to grow from a market size of USD 70.33 billion in 2024 to USD 91.36 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%.
Mega projects like NEOM, The Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya are not only reshaping the built environment of the Kingdom but also forecasted to generate approximately 380,000 new jobs by 2030. These projects require a deep bench of engineering talent, technical trades, machine operators, and infrastructure specialists – the roles that will increasingly rely on foreign expertise as local capacity develops over time.
In the hospitality sector, Saudi Arabia is planning to add 320,000 new hotel rooms by 2030, reflecting a total development investment of around USD 104 billion. This expansion supports the country’s goal of attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2030, significantly boosting the need for skilled professionals in hotel management, food and beverage operations, facilities, guest services, and tourism event planning. These targets are ambitious, and the local workforce alone cannot meet them, reinforcing the need for a reliable influx of qualified expatriate labor.
Tourism, one of the fastest-growing components of Saudi’s economic diversification strategy, is expected to create up to 250,000 new jobs by 2030. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the sector’s contribution to GDP is projected to reach SAR 635 billion by 2032, accounting for over 17% of the total economy. These figures highlight not only the sheer size of the tourism opportunity but also the structural role that global manpower will play in fulfilling it.
While market watchers are anticipating some recalibration and Job growth may slow to around 3% by 2026, compared to current rates, as the Public Investment Fund (PIF) adjusts its giga-project spending strategy. Yet even with a moderated pace, the trajectory remains clear. Saudi Arabia will continue to be one of the most active job markets in the region for expatriate professionals, especially in high-demand sectors tied to Vision 2030.
In this evolving landscape, companies are looking for dependable workforce partners who can deliver talent that is trained, compliant, and culturally aligned. This is where THRIVE has emerged as a critical enabler. THRIVE specializes in supplying vetted, skilled, and deployment-ready expatriate professionals across construction, hospitality, logistics, and operational roles. With sourcing hubs in regions like South Asia and a rigorous quality control process, THRIVE ensures Saudi businesses receive workforce solutions that meet both project timelines and international standards.
Clients in Saudi Arabia choose THRIVE not only for its speed of mobilization but also for its deep understanding of local labor regulations, visa protocols, and industry-specific compliance requirements. Thrive supports clients through full-cycle workforce delivery, from candidate selection to on-ground onboarding and operational performance monitoring.
Over the next decade, as Saudi Arabia builds futuristic cities, hosts global sporting events, opens luxury tourism corridors, and invests in digital and physical infrastructure, the requirement for skilled foreign professionals will remain strong. THRIVE is committed to supporting this transformation, not just as a supplier of manpower but as a strategic workforce partner, contributing directly to the Kingdom’s long-term vision.
With every team deployed, every trade filled, and every standard met, THRIVE is helping to power Saudi Arabia’s future built on skill, scale, and global collaboration.
