Overview

KSA's 2023 Voluntary National Review (VNR) marks its second comprehensive assessment of progress towards the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since its initial VNR in 2018. This VNR is deeply embedded within the nation’s overarching development agenda, Saudi Vision 2030.

This analysis presents KSA’s progress across the 17 SDGs, with ratings assigned to each goal based on the report’s findings. The ratings reflect the extent of progress made, highlight areas where challenges have been addressed, and identify those that remain unresolved.

Analysis

This analysis applies the VNR framework to KSA's VNR/SDGs Report 2023. Initially, the report was processed using an AI tool to extract, summarise, and categorise data related to the 17 SDGs. The AI provided preliminary insights into KSA’s progress, challenges, and measurable indicators across Saudi Vision 2030 which are built around three themes, Vibrant Society, a Thriving Economy, and an Ambitious Nation.

Following the AI review, the information was cross-verified by two independent human experts to ensure factual accuracy, contextual relevance, and alignment with the official UN SDGs indicators. This validation step strengthened the reliability of the data interpretation.

Finally, a team of SDGs experts conducted an in-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis to identify key challenges, potential solutions, and policy-level recommendations. The comprehensive approach, integrating AI-driven insights with expert validation, provides a balanced, evidence-based assessment of KSA’s progress toward achieving the Saudi Vision 2030, highlighting strategic areas for improvement, innovation, and sustainability.

Conclusion

KSA’s 2023, VNR highlights substantial progress toward the SDGs, driven by the alignment of Vision 2030 with global development goals. The Kingdom has achieved notable advances in social services, women’s empowerment, healthcare, education, environmental sustainability through initiatives like SGI and MGI, and economic diversification via the PIF and SME growth. Significant investments in digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and global partnerships further demonstrate commitment to long-term sustainability. While challenges remain in environmental management, youth employment, institutional transparency, and civic engagement, the VNR reflects a balanced narrative of progress and ongoing constraints. KSA’s iterative approach to SDGs reporting and policy refinement underscores its dedication to building the strategic and institutional foundations necessary to achieve sustainable development by 2030.

Recommendations

Strengthen human capital, lifelong learning, and inclusive workforce participation.
Improve access to quality healthcare, education, housing, and social protection.
Diversify the economy, support SMEs and start-ups, and boost innovation and technology.
Advance the green transition, circular economy, and sustainable resource management.
Enhance governance, institutional coordination, transparency, and data-driven decision-making.
Expand civic engagement, private-sector partnerships, sustainable financing, and international cooperation.
Align SDG targets with Vision 2030 KPIs to ensure unified national progress and accountability.
Boost research, innovation, and technology ecosystems through increased R&D funding, industry–academia collaboration, and innovation hubs.
Strengthen PPPs and private-sector engagement by providing clear regulations, incentives, and performance-based contracts in key development sectors.
Accelerate the green transition through renewable energy, hydrogen, CCUS, and energy-efficiency initiatives under the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI).
Scale up nature-based solutions such as afforestation (10 billion trees target) and land/marine conservation (30% protection goal).
Deepen international and regional cooperation via the Middle East Green Initiative, G20 platforms, and UN partnerships to share technology and knowledge.
Strengthen national statistical systems to systematically measure, monitor, and report progress across all 17 SDGs and 234 performance indicators. KSA should provide transparent evidence detailing which of the indicators have been achieved, alongside data-supported analyses of those still in progress. This will ensure greater accountability, facilitate peer learning, and guide policy adjustments towards the 2030 Agenda.

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Haifa Abdulaziz Al Mogrin
Assistant Deputy Minister for Sustainable Development Affairs
Assistant Deputy Minister for the G20 Affairs
Ministry of Economy & Planning
P.O. Box 358, Riyadh 11182
Saudi Arabia
Email: halmogrin@mep.gov.sa

Location

Ministry of Economy and Planning, وزارة الإقتصاد والتخطيط - Granda Business Park, Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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Region

No Poverty

Score: 4
Justification	KSA, in collaboration with the World Bank, reported 0% national poverty headcount rates at both $2.15 and $3.65 per day per capita (2017 PPP), based on household expenditure data from 2012/13. KSA ranked 1st in the Arab World and 21st globally in the UN Happiness Index 2021, reflecting strong well-being despite the impact of COVID-19. Home ownership reached 62% in 2020, on track for the 70% target by 2030; the Sakani Programme supported 1.2 million families (including 210,000 in 2021). The Kingdom has deposited SAR 100 billion ($26.6 billion) into the accounts of beneficiaries of its Citizen Account Programme since its establishment in 2017.
Challenges	Uneven access to social services in remote and rural regions. Limited financial inclusion among low-income and rural populations. Digital divide restricting adoption of digital financial solutions. Gaps in education and skills training affecting labour market readiness. Youth and women employment still below potential in some sectors.
Progress/ Solutions	Launched social protection reforms with revised criteria, reduced subsidies, and VAT. Enhanced safety nets and job programs for youth and women. Used Zakat funds for welfare, housing, and training. Promoted community and non-profit participation. MHRSD reformed social work licensing. SDB provided microfinance and housing loans. Tanmia supported community projects and jobs.
Unsolved Challenges	Rural development and small-scale farming remain underfunded and less productive. Sustainability of social protection programs amid fiscal adjustments and subsidy reductions. Coordination challenges among agencies implementing inclusion initiatives.

Zero Hunger

Score: 3
Justification	GFSA implements the Food Security Strategy, manages 11 programmes like Sustainable Agriculture and Food Loss Reduction, and coordinates responses to food crises. Food Loss & Waste Programme aiming to “Halve Quantities of Food Loss and Waste by 2030”. Support for water-efficient agriculture & aquaculture.
Challenges	Heavy dependence on food imports; global price volatility; water constraints for agriculture.
Progress/ Solutions	Reduced child malnutrition trends: wasting fell (overall prevalence decreased from 7% in 2017, 4.1% in 2018 and 2019 and fell further to 3.8% in 2020); scaling of efficient production & food-loss interventions.
Unsolved Challenges	Long-term food self-reliance limited by water constraints; preserve plant genetic resources & protect local breeds at risk.

Good Health

Score: 3
Justification	The Ministry of Health has digitalised healthcare with 500+ centres connected, launched the SEHA Virtual Hospital supporting 130 hospitals and 30+ services, created Sehhaty Virtual Clinics, fully electronic health systems, and real-time monitoring for decision-making and emergencies. Wasfaty services:8.4 million prescriptions by Aug 2020); nation-wide screening programmes.  Strong maternal/child health: 98% births attended; under-5 mortalities rate is less than 9 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Challenges	Non-communicable diseases(NCD) rising; regional disparities in workforce & services; disease importation risks (pilgrimage).
Progress/ Solutions	High maternal/child indicators: births attended >98%. Maternal mortality ≈ 12 per 100,000; under-5 mortalities <9 per 1,000; immunisation coverage stable ~95–99% for core vaccines. Hepatitis C: VNR reports large screening campaigns.
Unsolved Challenges	Control of NCDs and sustaining preventive programmes; closing subnational service gaps; continued surveillance for communicable disease during mass gatherings.

Quality Education

Score: 4
Justification	Large public education investment: ~8.3% of GDP (2021) which is above UNESCO’s recommendation of 4-6% Curriculum modernisation; 104 STEM centres in schools; digital learning platforms (Madrasati, Rawdaty). In 2020, Saudi government university employees were granted 143 patents, and vocational training saw high enrollment of secondary school graduates, exceeding the 12.5% target with an actual achievement of 23.77%.
Challenges	Aligning outputs with labour-market skills; addressing digital readiness & teacher retraining needs.
Progress/ Solutions	Gains in international assessments: Kingdom ranked 2nd among G20 for Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) progress (2015–2019). General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) data shows KSA ensured 100% availability of essential school services from 2015–2021.
Unsolved Challenges	Skills mismatch remains. Further expansion of Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) industry links and lifelong learning needed.

Gender Equality

Score: 4
Justification	In 2019, Royal Decree provides abuse victims with shelter, healthcare, and support, while enhancing women’s rights, protecting against violence, and promoting equal pay. In January 2023, the Saudi Cabinet approved the “national policy to promote equality of opportunities and treatment. Ensures gender equality in education, with multiple university cities for women, including Princess Noura, Imam Muhammad bin Saud, and King Saud Universities. The Gender Balance Centre coordinates public agencies to bridge gender gaps through initiatives, training, studies, and consultations.
Challenges	Cultural & structural barriers to leadership parity; social norms limiting full participation.
Progress/ Solutions	Rapid increases in women’s participation in sports and labour. Sports participation “doubling 2015–2019”); policy packages for workplace equality.
Unsolved Challenges	Glass ceiling in senior leadership & representation; continued work on norms, enforcement of equal-treatment provisions and data disaggregation.

Water & Sanitation

Score: 3
Justification	Safe Water Access: Nearly 100% of the population had access to safely managed drinking water (2016–2020). Desalination: KSA is the world’s largest producer; SWCC produced 5.9 million m³/day in 2020 from 32 plants and 63 pumping stations. Jubail Plant: Holds Guinness World Record; produces 1.4 million m³/day. Water Reuse and pollution control: Promotes treated wastewater reuse for agriculture, industry, and urban purposes. Measures to improve water quality and reduce environmental impacts.
Challenges	 Severe water scarcity, heavy reliance on energy-intensive desalination, groundwater depletion.
Progress/ Solutions	Water Conservation: Initiatives to promote efficient use, improve irrigation (target 75% efficiency), and reduce nonrenewable groundwater use by 2030. Wastewater Treatment: Investments in sewage treatment; first independent plant processes 350,000 m³/day, aiming for 10.3 million m³/day by 2030.
Unsolved Challenges	Long-term sustainable water demand management (especially agriculture) and reducing desalination environmental impacts remain unresolved.

Clean Energy

Score: 4
Justification	- Achieved universal access to electricity and clean cooking fuels - Renewable energy share reached 1.5% of final energy consumption (2023) - Al Kharsaah Solar Plant as a flagship renewable energy projectIncreased international clean energy finance supporting global transitions - National targets: 4 GW renewable capacity by 2030 and 27% reduction in electricity-related carbon intensity - Qatar Energy sustainability programmes: daily 57 million standard cubic feet of gas saved, 6.3 million metric tons of CO2 capturedEnergy Efficiency Programme: Targets industry, transportation, and buildings (90% domestic consumption); improved power plants, desalination, industry, and agriculture. 2021 Results: 6.3% reduction in carbon emissions; 425 MBDOE energy saved. ESCO Growth: Companies increased from 4 to 47 in five years. CAFE Standards: Fuel economy improved 3.5% annually. Appliance Standards: 57% improvement in minimum energy performance (2012–2018). Tarshid: Retrofitting public assets including 2 million streetlights, 110,000 buildings, 35,000 schools, 100,000 mosques, 2,500 hospitals. Renewable Energy: Projects include Dhahran Solar 300MW, Dumat Al-Jandal Wind 800MW, Sakaka Solar 2.5GW; installed 300MW solar and 400MW wind. .
Challenges	Transition from fossil-fuel based system at scale; grid integration, storage and finance for renewables.
Progress/ Solutions	2030 Goal: 50% power from renewables via National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP); promotes private investment, R&D, and local supply chains. Smart Meters: 10 million deployed; could cut 1.8 million tons CO₂ annually.
Unsolved Challenges	Need to accelerate storage, grid modernisation and mobilise green finance to meet 2030 targets.

Decent Work

Score: 3
Justification	GDP Growth: 8.7% in 2022, fastest among major economies. Unemployment: 8% in Q4 2022; youth unemployment highest (15–24). Inflation: 2.8% in May 2023, moderate and stable. Oil Contribution: Direct share in GDP dropped 20% (2000–2020). FDI: $5.5 billion in 2020, +20% from 2019. Women in Workforce: Labour force participation rose from 19.4% (2015) to 32% (2020); gender unemployment gap narrowing. Earnings Growth: Average monthly earnings rose from SAR 6,093 (2017) to SAR 6,564 (2020).
Challenges	Youth unemployment and the need for quality jobs; private sector absorption.
Progress/ Solutions	SMEs: Startup investments rose 72% to $987M in 2022; expected to contribute 35% of GDP by 2030.
Unsolved Challenges	Youth Employment: Expand Human Capability Development Programme (HCDP) with skill-building and vocational training. Women in Workforce: Promote participation and equal opportunities. Job Creation: Support businesses/startups, foster public-private partnerships, and invest in emerging technologies. Economic Diversification: Develop sustainable industries like renewable energy, tourism, and technology.

Industry & Infrastructure

Score: 3
Justification	Economic Diversification: Increasing GDP share from manufacturing, energy, mining, tourism, logistics, and IT. Manufacturing Growth: Value rose from 12% (2015) to 17.58% (2021), indicating growing importance; small-scale industry shares declined. Industrial & Tech Promotion: Special economic zones, technology sector development, and ICT infrastructure investment. Mega Projects: NEOM, Qiddiya, AMAALA, Red Sea projects.
Challenges	Building a diversified, innovative, and sustainable industrial base that is less oil-dependent, more technologically advanced, regionally inclusive, and environmentally efficient.
Progress/ Solutions	UNIDO index rank improved from 71st (2000) to 47th (2019) due to industrial investments. Home Ownership: Increase to 70%. City Cleanliness: Achieve 80% satisfaction.
Unsolved Challenges	Strengthen human capital through skills training and innovation culture. Attract private and foreign investment in research and development. Support SMEs and startups with funding, mentorship, and incubation. Invest in industrial, transport, and digital infrastructure development. Promote digital transformation and growth of the digital economy. Build a sustainable and inclusive industrial ecosystem. Increase value-added production and job creation in key sectors.

Inequality

Score: 3
Justification	Increased labour share of GDP (from 40.6% in 2018 to 49.2% in 2020. Launched in Jan 2022 under Saudi Vision 2030, the “Training and Employment for People with Disabilities” project trained 1,221 disabled job seekers by May 2023, raising employment from 7.7% to 12.4%, aiming for 80% job placement. National Referral Mechanism: Collaboration with UN; includes specialised courts, prosecution teams, police, labour inspectors, and complaint mechanisms.
Challenges	Regional disparities; differences by nationality and employment status. Developing human resources to meet labour market needs, improving the matching of job supply and demand, and supporting vulnerable groups to enter or remain in the workforce.
Progress/ Solutions	National Family Strategy (2020): Sets priorities for children, women, and the elderly; includes Anti-Bullying Policy and Child Online Safety Framework. Child Protection Frameworks: Hospital response system with electronic case registry; informed by 2011 and 2015 Child Protection Acts. National Action Plan Against Trafficking (2021): Addresses child protection and trafficking issues.
Unsolved Challenges	Ensuring targeted social protection and reducing disparities in rural/remote areas. Expanding assistance programmes for people with disabilities, the elderly, and vulnerable groups. Increasing homeownership, residential units, and affordable housing for low-income families. Promoting youth engagement through education, skills, and employment opportunities Maintaining engagement with international and regional human rights mechanisms.

Sustainable Cities

Score: 4
Justification	National Urban Development Strategy; Quality of Life Programme; major metro & public transport projects (Riyadh metro); heritage & housing programmes. GASTAT shows a significant decrease in both deaths and injuries due to disasters from 2015 to 2019. FORAS Municipal Investment Portal: Connects municipalities and investors, registered 23,000+ investors, and cut investor visit requirements by 90%. NEOM Project: A 26,500 km² sustainable city powered by 100% renewable energy, featuring THE LINE, a 170 km car-free city for 1 million residents, preserving 95% of nature with zero carbon emissions. Future Saudi Cities Programme (2014-2022): Joint MOMRA and UN-Habitat initiative in 17 major cities to assess prosperity, wellbeing, and urban planning structures.
Challenges	Challenges include enhancing urban planning and governance, ensuring equitable access to public spaces, improving city prosperity and wellbeing indicators, and advancing environmental initiatives like Green KSA and Green Riyadh effectively.
Progress/ Solutions	King Salman Charter for Architecture and Urbanism (2022): Provides strategic guidance on urbanisation, architecture, and design reflecting Saudi history and culture. King Salman Centre for Local Governance (CLG): Conducts research, advisory services, training, events, and hosts initiatives like the King Salman Award for Local Governance and the Saudi Government Digital Map; first Saudi think tank focused on local governance. Environmental Initiatives: Launch of Green KSA and Green Riyadh with significant government investment.
Unsolved Challenges	Managing rapid urbanisation pressures, integrated waste systems and affordable housing remain priorities. Enhancing public participation in urban planning and management. Strengthening legislation and policies for inclusive, sustainable urban environments Capacity building for local government and ministry officials in technical skills Promoting collaboration between government, private sector, and communities

Responsible Consumption

Score: 3
Justification	Hazardous Waste Management: 76,000 tons generated in 2020, all treated, ensuring environmental sustainability and public health. Corporate Sustainability Reporting: Steady increase in companies publishing reports from 2015–2021, showing transparency and accountability. 75% of national educational policy addresses sustainable development; 100% of student assessments include related knowledge and skills.
Challenges	In KSA’s food and waste management include the high volume of food loss and inadequate recycling, limited adoption of modern waste reduction technologies, the need for source separation and repurposing of materials, promoting sustainable consumption and production in key sectors, and integrating climate change and ecosystem protection into public policies.
Progress/ Solutions	Corporate Sustainability Practices: Companies like SABIC, Aramco, Ma’aden, and National Water Company implement recycling, efficiency, and sustainability plans. Sustainable Tourism: Investment in eco-tourism, protected areas, and promotion of sustainable practices in tourism. Riyadh Waste Management Strategy: Developed to manage increased waste from demolition, construction, and excavation. Collaboration between Riyadh Municipality, National Waste Management Centre, and Saudi Investment Recycling Company. Recycling Targets (by 2035): 47% of construction/demolition waste and 81% of municipal solid waste.
Unsolved Challenges	High volume of food loss and waste and inadequate food recycling practices Low adoption of modern waste reduction. technologies and need for waste separation at source and repurposing of building materials Promoting sustainable consumption and production in industrial and agricultural sectors Integrating climate change mitigation and ecosystem protection into policies and programmes.

Climate Action

Score: 3
Justification	Saudi Green Initiative (SGI, 2021): Flagship climate change programme integrating environmental protection, energy transition, and sustainability. Initiatives: 77 launched since 2021, including SAR 700 billion investments in green economy; 17 new environment-focused initiatives in 2022. Technologies & Programmes: Carbon capture and storage, energy efficiency, Circular Carbon Economy, National Renewable Energy Programme, Saudi Energy Efficiency Programme. International Engagement: Paris Agreement ratification, UNFCCC participation, Global Methane Initiative, Mission Innovation, Clean Energy Ministerial, Net-Zero Producers Forum. Circular Carbon Economy Approach: Focus on Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Remove CO₂ and GHG emissions.
Challenges	The key challenges in KSA include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding renewable energy and improving energy efficiency, developing carbon capture and direct air capture technologies, promoting green financing, implementing climate-adaptive transportation and sustainable urban planning, supporting afforestation and ecosystem protection, strengthening international collaboration, and ensuring coordinated engagement across public and private sectors.
Progress/ Solutions	Emission Reduction Goal: Cut 278 mtpa CO₂ by 2030, double the previous NDC target; net-zero emissions by 2060. Renewable Energy: Targeting 50% power from renewables by 2030 (2019 as base year). Global Methane Pledge: Commitment to cut global methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
Unsolved Challenges	Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across sectors. Expanding renewable energy capacity to meet 50% power target by 2030. Enhancing energy efficiency in industry, transportation, and residential sectors. Developing and scaling carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) and direct air capture (DAC) technologies. Promoting green financing and funding for climate action projects Implementing climate-adaptive transportation and sustainable urban planning. Supporting afforestation and protection of land and marine ecosystems. Strengthening international collaboration on climate initiatives. Ensuring whole-of-society engagement and coordination between public and private sectors.

Life Below Water

Score: 2
Justification	Marine and Coastal Conservation: SGI aims to protect 30% of KSA’s land and sea, preserving habitats for flora and fauna. Environmental Regulation: General Order for Environment (2020) with executive bylaws covering air quality, marine protection, and waste management. Disaster Preparedness: National Centre for Environmental Compliance conducted 10 simulations, trained 4,000 individuals, achieving peak oil spill response capacity of 75,000 barrels.
Challenges	Coastal development pressures, pollution, and overfishing risks; monitoring/enforcement gaps.
Progress/ Solutions	International Collaboration: Partnerships with organisations like the IUCN for biodiversity protection. Coastal Management: Strategies to reduce erosion, enhance blue carbon sinks, and protect marine livelihoods. Mangrove Planting & Coral Restoration: Planting mangroves along coasts and developing coral reef restoration technologies for thermal resilience. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Conserving marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Pollution Control: Regulations on fishing, oil, and gas activities to minimise environmental impact.
Unsolved Challenges	Conservation and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems. Establishment and expansion of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Promotion of sustainable fishing practices and development of fishery management plans. Support for small-scale artisanal fishers. Development of sustainable aquaculture Implementing integrated coastal zone management and ecosystem-based approaches to reduce pollution and guide coastal development.

Life on Land

Score: 2
Justification	Biodiversity Protection: 15 wildlife sanctuaries; land under protected areas increased from 4.56% (2017) to 16.21% (2020). Urban Green Initiatives: Riyadh planting 7.5 million trees; green space per capita increasing from 1.7 to 28 m². Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Targets for SDG 15: Plant 10 billion trees, rehabilitate 40 million hectares, restore natural greenery; protect 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. Desertification Combat: Improving land use, water-saving technologies, sustainable agriculture, and land management systems.
Challenges	Desertification, land degradation, biodiversity threats, and water limitations for afforestation.
Progress/ Solutions	Forest & Wildlife Management: Protect degraded forests, promote sustainable forestry, conserve endangered species, prevent illegal hunting/trade. Land Rehabilitation: Remediation of mining areas, quarries, construction waste dumps, abandoned agricultural lands. Community Engagement: Rehabilitate 225,000 hectares of oases, plant 12 million trees with local communities; 37 projects to plant 4.6 million trees. Protection & Monitoring: Smart operations room for patrols, national forest monitoring and assessment system, national forest policy development, and forest investment plan for sustainable conservation.
Unsolved Challenges	Forest Area: 2 million hectares (1.1% of land) in 2021 due to arid climate. Desertification and land degradation affecting ecosystems. Loss of biodiversity and endangered species protection. Illegal hunting and wildlife trade. Sustainable land and forest management implementation. Rehabilitation of degraded lands including mining, quarries, and abandoned agricultural sites. Scaling up tree planting and vegetation cover initiatives effectively.

Peace & Justice

Score: 3
Justification	Revenue Collection System: Modern electronic system linked to 400+ government agencies; integrates with SADAD, allows multiple payment methods, and enhances tracking and analysis. Social Dialogue & Civic Engagement: Annual forums involving civil society, employers, and workers; latest forum in Jan 2023 focused on labour market support. Inclusive & Gender-Balanced Institutions: Increased positions for women (especially ages 25–34) and employment of persons with disabilities (2015–2020).Peace, Stability, & Justice: Policies to improve human rights, access to justice, and public sector transparency.
Challenges	Expand access to justice, civic participation & subnational monitoring; ensure transparency and inclusive governance.
Progress/ Solutions	 Governance & Transparency: Improved performance, accountability, and public participation; strengthened integrity and anti-corruption measures.  Government Effectiveness: Advanced from 83 to 75 in World Bank’s Government Effectiveness Index over five years.  E-Government: UN EGDI rank improved from 52 (2018) to 43; E-Participation Index from 66 (2020) to 43 (2022).  Corruption Perceptions Index: Improved from 57 (2017) to 52 (2020).
Unsolved Challenges	Enhancing efficiency and transparency in public institutions. Improving access to justice and legal services for all citizens. Strengthening anti-corruption measures and capacity of oversight bodies like Nazaha Promoting civic engagement and public participation in decision-making. Fostering a culture of integrity and ethical behavior in public and private sectors. Leveraging technology for social and economic development, including digital literacy and ICT access.

Partnerships

Score: 4
Justification	G20 Engagement: Active role in shaping global economic and environmental policies. Development Assistance: Increased from $17.54B (2017) to $44.99B (2021); proportion of national budget rose from 3.5% to 4.43% (2015–2021). Remittances & Debt: Remittances ~5% of GDP; debt service as % of GDP fluctuated, dropping in 2021. Digital Access: Increasing fixed broadband subscriptions and internet usage, especially for age 15+. Bilateral Assistance: KSRelief (2015): $6B humanitarian aid to 91 countries. Saudi Fund for Development (SFD, 1974): $18B for 700+ projects in 85 countries (infrastructure, transport, agriculture).
Challenges	KSA faces the challenge of enhancing global SDG cooperation, expanding digital connectivity and literacy, fostering innovation and technology transfer, advancing renewable energy and sustainable urbanisation, addressing climate change, improving data transparency, supporting global health initiatives, and promoting foreign investment and private sector growth.
Progress/ Solutions	Global Development Support: KSA provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries. International Cooperation: Collaboration with UN, Islamic Development Bank, World Bank, and other organisations. Charity & Digital Platforms: Al Khair Al Raqami and Misk Charitable Association support SDGs. Historical Aid: $87.5B total aid, including $54.4B development, $11B humanitarian, $149M charity; 5,424 projects in 39 sectors across 166 countries.
Unsolved Challenges	Global SDG Cooperation: Enhancing international partnerships to achieve sustainable development goals. Digital Connectivity: Expanding high-speed internet access and promoting digital literacy, especially in rural areas. Renewable Energy & Sustainability: Investing in clean technology, carbon capture, and sustainable urbanisation. Climate Change Mitigation: Leading regional initiatives like the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI). Data Transparency: Improving accessibility and use of data for decision-making. Global Health Support: Strengthening contributions to initiatives like COVAX and addressing health crises.

SDGs World Progress: On-Track

SDGs World Progress: Moderately Off-Track

SDGs World Progress: Off-Track

SDG14
SDG15

Country Challenges

Economic Diversification and Energy Transition: The need to reduce dependence on oil revenues and build a resilient, diversified economy through manufacturing, services, and innovation sectors. Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources while maintaining energy security and affordability for households and industries.
Youth Unemployment: A growing young population requires more quality jobs and career opportunities, particularly in the private sector.
Water Scarcity: KSA faces extreme freshwater shortages, relying heavily on desalination and limited groundwater, creating sustainability concerns.
Environmental Degradation: Combating land degradation, loss of biodiversity, and pollution of terrestrial and marine ecosystems caused by rapid development and climate pressures.
Data and Monitoring Gaps: Strengthening national data systems to collect timely, disaggregated, and high-quality statistics to track SDG progress accurately.

World Challenges

Country Lessons Learned

Integrated Planning and Vision Alignment: Coordinating SDG actions with Vision 2030 ensures consistency; policy implication: strengthen cross-ministry planning and monitoring systems.
Data-Driven Governance: Reliable data guides effective decisions; policy implication: enhance national statistical capacity and use real-time data for policy evaluation.
Localisation of SDGs: Adapting goals to local needs boosts inclusion; policy implication: empower municipalities with resources and local monitoring tools.
Empowering Women and Youth: Inclusion fuels sustainable growth; policy implication: expand training, entrepreneurship, and leadership opportunities for women and young people.
Environmental Sustainability and Green Growth: Balancing economy and ecology is essential; policy implication: mainstream green policies, circular economy, and renewable energy targets in all sectors.
Strong Institutions and Coordination: Institutional stability ensures SDG continuity; policy implication: strengthen governance frameworks and clarify agency roles.
Global and Regional Partnerships: Cooperation multiplies impact; policy implication: deepen international collaboration, share best practices, and align with global sustainability agendas.

World Lessons Learned

Child Welfare: Child wasting declined from 7% in 2017 to 3.8% in 2020.
Education: Education spending reached approximately 8.3% of GDP in 2021. KSA ranked 2nd among G20 countries for improvement in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) scores between 2015 and 2019. Additionally, 104 STEM centres have been established, and the Madrasati digital platform has reached millions of students.
Gender and Labour: Female labour force participation increased from 19.4% in 2015 to 36% in 2022. The National Gender Equality Policy was adopted in 2023.
Water and Sanitation: 100% of the population now has access to safe drinking water.
Energy: A total of 11.4 GW of renewable energy projects are under development, with 700 MW already connected to the grid. Ten million smart meters have been installed to enhance energy efficiency.
Housing and Urban Development: The Sakani housing programme has assisted 1.2 million families (210,000 in 2021), increasing the home-ownership rate to 62% in 2020, with a target of 70% by 2030.
Environmental Sustainability: Under the Saudi Green Initiative, the country aims to reduce 278 Mt CO₂e by 2030 and achieve Net Zero emissions by 2060. To date, 18 million trees have been planted, 60,000 hectares of land rehabilitated, and over SAR 700 billion invested in more than 60 SGI projects. KSA also leads the Middle East Green Initiative and actively participates in UN and SDG partnerships.

Saudi Arabia

Overview

Social Networks

SDGs Progress Tracker

Voluntary National Reports

Country Focal Point

Location

Region

No Poverty

Zero Hunger

Good Health

Quality Education

Gender Equality

Water & Sanitation

Clean Energy

Decent Work

Industry & Infrastructure

Inequality

Sustainable Cities

Responsible Consumption

Climate Action

Life Below Water

Life on Land

Peace & Justice

Partnerships

SDGs World Progress: On-Track

SDGs World Progress: Moderately Off-Track

SDGs World Progress: Off-Track

Country Challenges

World Challenges

Country Lessons Learned

World Lessons Learned

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Social Networks

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No Poverty

Zero Hunger

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Gender Equality

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