Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Wednesday, Apr 01, 2026

8,400 establishments, 95,600 staff leave contracting market last year

8,400 establishments, 95,600 staff leave contracting market last year

A total of 8,391 establishments and 95,638 employees have left the contracting market during the year 2021, according to a monitoring carried out by Okaz/Saudi Gazette based on reports of various government agencies.
The number of contracting establishments decreased to 167,100 by the end of last year, down from 175,500 establishments in 2020, with the exit of about 8,391 establishments from the market. This figure is equivalent to 4.78 percent of the total contracting establishments.

According to the monitoring, the number of workers in the contracting sector decreased by 3.37 percent, bringing the number of workers in the contracting market by the end of last year to about 2.74 million male and female workers, in comparison to about 2.84 million workers in 2020, with the exit of a total of 95,638 workers from the market.

The building construction activities came first among the largest number of establishments and workers that quit the contracting sector. This branch included 91,230 establishments, representing 55 percent of the total establishments operating in the sector with about 1.67 million male and female workers, representing up to 61 percent of the total employees in the contracting sector.

The building construction activities were followed by construction activities with 54,400 establishments, representing 30 percent of the sector’s establishments, with 380100 workers, representing 14 percent of the total employees in the contracting sector.

The activities for the provision of services for buildings and beautification of sites comes in the third place with 23,400 establishments, representing 14 percent of the establishments with 515,400 workers who make up 19 percent of employees in the contracting sector.

The activities of civil engineering; mining services; collection, treatment and disposal of waste; and material recovery got the least share in terms of the number of establishments. The number of establishments operating in civil engineering activities reached 1,053, representing 0.63 percent, with 22,523 male and female workers, representing 0.8 percent.

In mining support services, there are 834 establishments, representing 0.5 percent with 151,053 male and female workers, representing 5.5 percent and there are 142 establishments in the waste collection, treatment and disposal activities.

These firms represent 0.1 percent of the sector’s establishments, with 8,789 male and female workers, representing 0.3 percent of the total employees in the contracting sector.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Arabia Updates Travel Advisory as Regional Conflict Intensifies
Saudi Arabia’s Sadara Suspends Petrochemical Production as Conflict Disrupts Operations
Iran Urges Saudi Arabia to Remove US Forces Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Gulf Allies Urge Trump to Sustain Campaign Until Iran Is Fully Defeated
Saudi Arabia Unveils Strategic Rail Freight Corridors Connecting Gulf Ports to Jordan
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Drones and Ballistic Missiles in Major Defensive Operation
Houthi Escalation Opens New Front in Expanding Iran-Linked Conflict
Major Saudi Chemical Plant Halts Operations Amid Regional Conflict Disruptions
Strike on US Radar Aircraft in Saudi Arabia Signals Escalating Threat Capabilities
US Citizens in Saudi Arabia Advised to Shelter Indoors Amid Rising Regional Tensions
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Saudi Arabia Urges Trump to Lead Strategic Reset in Middle East as UAE Weighs Ground Role
Reed Smith Expands Saudi Presence with Senior Corporate Appointments
Trump Announces Approval of F-35 Fighter Jet Sale to Saudi Arabia
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
Ukraine Secures Defense Agreements with Qatar and Saudi Arabia as UAE Talks Advance
Oil Prices Surge as Saudi Arabia Adjusts Supply Amid Escalating Iran Tensions
Saudi Arabia Condemns Attacks on Kurdistan Leaders and Reaffirms Backing for Iraq’s Stability
Saudi Arabia Weighs Strategic Interests as Iran Conflict Raises Regional Stakes
Severe Thunderstorms Sweep Across UAE and Saudi Arabia Bringing Heavy Rainfall
Trump’s Strategic Alignment with Saudi Arabia Reflects Expanding Economic and Diplomatic Synergy
Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Attacks on Presidential Residences in Hawler
Saudi Stocks Edge Lower as Tadawul Index Closes Slightly Down
Houthis Enter Expanding Iran Conflict as US Deploys Additional Troops
Iran Seeks Assurances for Regional Allies as Saudi Arabia Presses for Firm Security Guarantees
Iranian Strike Reportedly Destroys $270 Million US E-3 Sentry Aircraft at Saudi Air Base
Iranian Strike on Saudi Base Leaves Ten American Personnel Injured
Ukraine Claims Russia Shared Satellite Intelligence with Iran Ahead of Saudi Base Strike
Pakistan Engages Regional Powers in Diplomatic Talks Over Iran Conflict
Escalating Iran Conflict Brings Renewed Focus to US Military Presence in Saudi Arabia
Iranian Strike Targets Saudi Airbase, Damaging Key US Military Assets
Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Emphasise Secure Shipping Routes in Talks on West Asia Conflict
Dallas-Based Company Secures One Billion Dollar Hotel Development Deal in Saudi Arabia
Zelensky Secures Defence Cooperation Deals with Gulf States During Strategic Regional Tour
Trump Calls on Saudi Arabia to Join Abraham Accords in Push for Expanded Middle East Cooperation
Trump Balances Humor and Praise in Remarks on Saudi Crown Prince
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Pipeline Reaches Seven Million Barrel Capacity to Bypass Hormuz
Rubio Signals U.S. Could Conclude Iran Conflict Within Weeks as Air Campaign Intensifies
More Than a Dozen U.S. Soldiers Injured in Saudi Base Attack as Iran-Backed Houthis Expand Conflict
Iranian Strike on US Base in Saudi Arabia Injures Troops and Damages Aircraft
Pakistan to Convene Regional Talks with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt Amid Iran War Diplomacy
Ukraine and Saudi Arabia Reach ‘Mutually Beneficial’ Defence Agreement
Ukraine to Share Battlefield Expertise with Saudi Arabia Under New Defence Agreement
Trump Takes Center Stage at Saudi Arabia’s FII Miami Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Gulf States Explore Pipeline Routes to Bypass Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Iran Conflict Drives Saudi Arabia to Deepen Security Ties with Ukraine
Saudi Arabia Reviews Desert Ski Resort Plans with Cancellation of Key Building Contracts
Saudi Arabia Targets Business Hotel Shortfall with $1 Billion Development Push
Iran and Allied Forces Intensify Strikes on Energy Sites and Urban Areas Across Region
Ukraine and Saudi Arabia Formalise Defence Cooperation Agreement, Zelenskiy Announces
×