ABHA, Saudi Arabia (Dispatches) -- As Saudi Arabia pushes forward with its ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil, disparities between the capital Riyadh and other regions like Aseer province highlight the challenges ahead.
Abdulrahman, a café worker in Abha, often escapes the city to the nearby Soudah mountain range, known for its dramatic views and ancient villages. However, the natural beauty has recently been marred by steel fences marking the site of Soudah Peaks, a multibillion-dollar luxury tourism project aimed at attracting 2 million visitors annually. The development symbolizes Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s hope to bring investment and jobs to historically neglected rural areas.
Despite such efforts, Aseer, with the highest unemployment rate in the kingdom, illustrates the uneven impact of Saudi Arabia’s reforms. Since launching Vision 2030 in 2016, much government spending has favored Riyadh and the futuristic Neom megaproject in the northwest. Riyadh has flourished as a hub for foreign investment and high-paying jobs, leaving many outside the capital feeling left behind.
“There’s less buzz, less energy, and a sense of less opportunity,” said Sanam Vakil, Middle East director at Chatham House. “Vision 2030 must bring everyone along on this journey to be successful.”
The economic divide is clear: a 2023 government survey found average monthly disposable income in Riyadh is more than double that in Najran, east of Aseer. Unemployment among Saudis in Riyadh is also half the national average.
Even in major cities like Jeddah, residents complain about centralization of key institutions in Riyadh and underinvestment in local infrastructure. Young Saudis from smaller towns increasingly migrate to Riyadh seeking better opportunities, intensifying housing pressures and raising rental costs by 30-40 percent.
Officials acknowledge these disparities but argue that Riyadh’s growth is natural and that basic services remain available nationwide. Economy Minister Faisal Alibrahim described uneven growth as “transitionary,” emphasizing the need to understand its causes.
Meanwhile, social reforms under Vision 2030 have boosted female labor participation from 20 percent a decade ago to 36 percent in early 2025 and helped reduce unemployment. However, subsidy cuts and increased taxes have strained many households, especially outside the capital.