SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: EMPLOYMENT, INDUSTRIALIZATION AND SMES, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ARABIA

Abstract

The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were endorsed by the leading global economies in 2015 to facilitate balanced economic growth and the enhancement of human well-being. These goals address the social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by underprivileged populations within nations. The SDGs comprise 169 specific targets and 248 indicators to monitor and assess their achievement across countries. Saudi Arabia has aligned the objectives of its Vision 2030 with the UN SDGs. This study seeks to evaluate the current status of employment, industrialisation, and economic growth in Saudi Arabia in relation to the attainment of the UN SDGs. Secondary data were sourced from the General Authority for Statistics of Saudi Arabia (GSTAT), the World Development Indicators of Saudi Arabia provided by the World Bank, and relevant UN publications. Analytical methods, including fixed base index numbers and percentage calculations, were employed to examine trends, proportional changes, and absolute growth of the variables. There is a pressing need to increase financial support and vocational training to strengthen small-scale industries within sectors such as mining and quarrying, electricity and gas supply, construction, wholesale and retail trade, and motor vehicle repair. Enhancing these industries can increase their contribution to overall employment for individuals under 35 years of age and stimulate GDP growth. Additionally, research and development alongside the tourism sector should be prioritised to advance progress towards SDG 8 and SDG 9.