Saudi Economy Grows 4.2% in Q1 2025, Signaling Continued Strong Demand for Skilled Foreign Labor

Saudi Non-Oil Economy Fuels Strong 4.2% GDP Growth in Q1 2025, Promising Robust Opportunities for OFWs

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabia’s economy maintained its strong, diversified growth trajectory at the start of 2025, with latest reports from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) showing a 4.2% year-on-year expansion in the first quarter. This growth is overwhelmingly attributed to the powerful performance of the non-oil private sector, which continues to be the primary engine of the Kingdom’s economy as envisioned under its ambitious Vision 2030 reform agenda.

The sustained expansion, notably exceeding many economic forecasts, signals a period of exceptional stability and opportunity within the Saudi job market. This is highly positive news for the hundreds of thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom and for those seeking employment there. The demand for skilled and semi-skilled foreign labor is expected to remain strong, particularly in the following key sectors that are central to Vision 2030’s “giga-projects”:

• Construction & Infrastructure: Megaprojects like NEOM, the Red Sea Global tourism destination, and Qiddiya Entertainment City are driving an unprecedented construction boom, requiring vast numbers of engineers, architects, skilled tradespeople (welders, electricians, plumbers), and heavy equipment operators.
• Tourism & Hospitality: With ambitious targets to welcome millions of international visitors, the rapid development of luxury resorts, hotels, and entertainment venues is creating a surge in demand for hotel staff, chefs, tour guides, and customer service professionals.
• Healthcare: The ongoing expansion and modernization of the Kingdom’s public health services and private medical facilities continue to generate a significant need for qualified nurses, doctors, medical technicians, and ancillary healthcare staff.
• Information Technology (IT): As Saudi Arabia pushes to become a regional tech hub, investments in smart cities, digital infrastructure, and cybersecurity are fueling demand for software developers, data analysts, network engineers, and IT support specialists.

This strategic economic shift away from hydrocarbon dependency is creating a more resilient and future-proof market for OFWs. The consistent growth in these non-oil sectors suggests not just short-term contracts but long-term career opportunities for Filipino professionals whose skills align with the Kingdom’s national development goals. The Philippine government, through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and POLO-Riyadh, is actively working to facilitate these matches, ensuring OFWs are deployed in stable, high-demand, and legally protected roles within this thriving economy.