Saudi Arabia’s ambitious “Vision 2030” reform programme is entering its final phase with remarkable momentum. Nine years after its launch in 2016, officials report that 93% of Vision 2030’s key performance indicators (KPIs) have been achieved or are on track, signalling significant progress toward the plan’s transformative goals.
With roughly five years remaining until the 2030 deadline, the Kingdom has exceeded numerous interim targets ahead of schedule. As the initiative moves from groundwork to full delivery mode, attention turns to the remaining goals and challenges that lie ahead, despite the strong performance to date.
A view of Riyadh’s modern skyline, including the King Abdullah Financial District. Saudi Arabia’s rapid development under “Vision 2030” has propelled major urban projects and economic diversification efforts.
What Has Been Achieved Thus Far?
Unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2016, “Vision 2030” set out to diversify Saudi Arabia’s oil-reliant economy and modernise society. The plan is built on three pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation, encompassing reforms from economic diversification to social change.
After nearly a decade, officials say the results are tangible: 85% of Vision 2030 initiatives have been completed or remain on track. Out of 1,502 projects launched under various “Vision Realisation Programmes,” 674 initiatives have been fully completed, and another 596 are advancing as scheduled. Such an implementation rate is unusually high for a nationwide transformation of this scale.
Notably, the government reports that eight Vision 2030 targets have been met well ahead of 2030, some by as much as six years early. Tourism is one headline success: annual visitors exceeded 100 million, achieving a key tourism target years in advance. The push to empower women is another highlight – female participation in the workforce hit 33.5%, surpassing the original 30% goal.
Saudi unemployment fell to a historic low of 7%, meeting Vision 2030’s unemployment target ahead of time. The Kingdom also registered its eighth UNESCO World Heritage site, fulfilling a cultural objective, and the number of volunteers nationally climbed above 1.2 million (versus a one million target).
In digital governance, Saudi Arabia leapt into the top ten globally on the United Nations’ “E-Participation Index” and near the top five on the “E-Government Development Index,” far better than its rankings in 2016.
These gains have been lauded by Saudi leaders. “We take great pride in the achievements our nation has realised in less than a decade, transforming Saudi Arabia into a global model of change,” King Salman bin Abdulaziz said in a statement marking the ninth anniversary of “Vision 2030.”
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman likewise praised “the resilience and determination” of Saudi citizens in meeting – and often exceeding – the plan’s targets. He affirmed the leadership’s commitment to “accelerating execution, seizing every opportunity, and strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a leading nation on the global stage” as 2030 approaches.
In recent times, economic diversification has accelerated with non-oil industries expanding rapidly. Private sector contributions to GDP and foreign investment targets have been met or surpassed, aided by megaprojects in tourism, entertainment, and technology. Saudi Arabia even attracted over 571 regional headquarters of international companies, beating its 2030 goal for FDI-related presence.
There have been stellar improvements in employment and society. Unemployment dropped to 7%. Women’s workforce participation rose to 33.5%, topping the goal. The home ownership rate climbed above 65%, exceeding interim housing targets. Social and cultural life also flourished, with record tourism and entertainment options and over 16.9 million Umrah pilgrims in 2024 (the highest ever).
Then there are government and digital reforms. Saudi Arabia dramatically improved its global e-government rankings (now sixth worldwide) and e-participation (seventh worldwide) through digital transformation and transparency initiatives. Public sector efficiency and civic engagement have been enhanced under the Ambitious Nation pillar, though these are harder to quantify.
What’s Left To Achieve?
Despite the impressive 93% KPI success rate, Saudi Arabia is not declaring “mission accomplished” just yet. Several important targets remain unmet and form the focus of Vision 2030’s final phase. According to the latest progress report, three specific indicators have fallen short of their interim benchmarks so far.
There are environmental performance concerns. Saudi Arabia’s score on global environmental performance indices has not reached its desired target. Improving sustainability metrics – from air quality to renewable energy usage – is an area needing more work, especially as the Kingdom aims to be a leader in climate initiatives in the coming decade.
It is still low on the Livable Cities Ranking. The goal of having Saudi cities rank among the world’s top 100 most livable cities remains elusive. Urban livability encompasses factors like infrastructure, quality of life, and environmental sustainability. As of 2024, no Saudi city has yet broken into the top-tier global liveability indexes, indicating room for further improvements in urban development and services.
Moreover, the non-oil exports share has fallen short of the target. Diversification of exports is still a work in progress. The share of non-oil exports in GDP has not hit the target level. Boosting non-oil industries to export more – whether petrochemicals, metals, or manufactured goods – is crucial for reducing dependence on oil. This target’s shortfall suggests the economy’s structure, while diversified compared to 2016, is still adjusting to give non-oil sectors a larger slice of the export pie.
Saudi authorities acknowledge these gaps and have signalled that they are “under continuous review” with dedicated programmes to address them. For instance, new green initiatives (like massive tree-planting campaigns and solar projects) are being rolled out to improve environmental metrics.
Major investments in public transport, housing, and city planning – exemplified by projects such as the futuristic city NEOM and the revitalisation of Riyadh – aim to boost urban livability rankings. And plans to expand industrial and agricultural exports (from developing mining to supporting local manufacturers) are part of ongoing diversification efforts to raise non-oil export performance.
Beyond these specific KPIs, the broader challenge is sustaining the momentum and ensuring Vision 2030’s gains are inclusive and lasting. Analysts note that many of the early achievements, while significant, were the “easy part” compared to building a self-sustaining post-oil economy.
Economic sustainability will be a key test: Can Saudi Arabia entrench non-oil growth engines like tourism, entertainment, mining, and technology so that they continue to thrive without constant state support? By 2030, the aim is for these sectors to stand on their own, creating private sector jobs and revenue to replace oil income.
Social balance is another aspect. “Vision 2030” has liberalised many aspects of daily life and empowered youth and women, but it has also coincided with tight controls on political expression. As the country modernises, balancing openness with tradition and managing public expectations will remain delicate. The final phase of “Vision 2030” could also define what comes next – whether a follow-up “Vision 2040” or a new set of long-term goals – to keep up the reform momentum.
Consolidation And Continued Reforms
Officials describe 2025–2030 as a period of “full delivery mode” for Vision 2030. The government has pledged to redouble efforts and accelerate implementation on all remaining initiatives. This likely means increased investment in lagging areas (like environmental projects) and ensuring that critical megaprojects – from economic free zones to tourism developments – are completed on schedule.
With oil revenues currently healthy, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund continues to bankroll giga-projects (such as NEOM, Red Sea tourism resorts, and new industrial cities) that are expected to create jobs and stimulate non-oil GDP in the final leg.
At the same time, the government emphasises that Vision 2030 is not merely about hitting numerical targets, but about institutionalising change. Efforts are underway to lock in regulatory and structural reforms so that, come 2030, the progress is irreversible. For example, educational curricula and training programmes are being aligned to the needs of a diversified economy, and new regulations are in place to encourage foreign investment and entrepreneurship beyond 2030.
Observers also point out that external economic factors will influence Vision 2030’s home stretch. Oil prices and global economic conditions can affect Saudi Arabia’s fiscal capacity to keep funding Vision projects. The Kingdom’s strategy has been to use oil windfalls to invest in non-oil sectors; a downturn in oil markets could test that strategy’s resilience. So far, prudent fiscal management and sizable reserves have buffered the reform agenda.