Vision 2030

National strategy framework announced on 25 April 2016 to diversify Saudi Arabia's economy, society and culture and reduce its dependence on oil, organised around three themes and a set of Vision Realization Programs.

Industry: National economic transformation programme | Location: Saudi Arabia | Founded: 2016

About Vision 2030

Saudi Vision 2030 is a national strategy framework announced on 25 April 2016 by the Saudi government and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Its stated purpose is to diversify the economy, society and culture of Saudi Arabia, to improve fiscal management and to reduce the country's dependence on oil. Wikipedia describes it as resting on three pillars: making the country the heart of the Arab and Islamic worlds, becoming a global investment powerhouse, and serving as a hub connecting Africa, Asia and Europe. Its three themes are a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation.

Wikipedia reports that the Crown Prince, who is also Prime Minister, oversees the plan, with direction and decisions taken by the Council of Ministers and the Council of Economic and Development Affairs. The National Transformation Program, the first of three five-year phases, was approved by the Council of Ministers on 7 June 2016. On 24 April 2017 the Council of Economic and Development Affairs presented the Vision Realization Programs, which cover areas such as quality of life, housing, privatization, the Public Investment Fund and human capital development. Wikipedia lists NEOM, Qiddiya, the Red Sea Project, Diriyah Gate and New Murabba among the major projects, with completion dates mostly between 2026 and 2030.

The 2025 Vision 2030 annual report was published in April 2026, ten years after launch. Al Nahar reported that 93% of performance indicators had met or exceeded their interim targets and that 935 of 1,290 initiatives were fully completed, with 255 progressing as planned. It also reported more than 2,200 regulatory and legislative reforms, non-oil activities at 55% of GDP, a private sector contribution of 51% and home ownership of 66.24%. Gulf Daily News reported real GDP growth of 4.5% in 2025 and Saudi unemployment of 7.2%, the lowest recorded. Al Riyadh Daily reported that unemployment had fallen from 12.3% in 2016. The Crown Prince called the decade a milestone and said the results call for double efforts to consolidate the gains.

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