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Financial inclusion in Saudi Arabia highlights notable gender disparities between men and women. A significant gap of approximately ** percent exists across most categories, which widens to ** percent for online bill payments. The smallest disparity is observed in credit card ownership and online/mobile purchases, where rates for both genders are nearly identical. This gap underscores the persistent challenges in attaining economic equality, despite recent initiatives aimed at enhancing women's participation in the workforce and public sphere.Ìý

Facilitating Financial Access via Public Programs

Vision 2030 is a cornerstone initiative that Saudi Arabia has undertaken to transform its economy. In addition to diversifying economic sectors and reducing dependence on oil, the project emphasizes investments in tourism, entertainment, healthcare, and technology. A key component of Vision 2030 is enhancing the economic participation of women in the country to ** percent by the end of the decade—a target achieved eight years ahead of schedule. By the end of 2024, women in the country owned ** percent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).Ìý

Progress in women's economic participation: challenges remain

The private sector has taken significant steps to support working mothers, particularly in areas like childcare where government efforts remain insufficient. Initiatives such as the Qurrah Program provide approximately *** U.S. dollars per month for each child, while the Wusool Program assists working mothers with transportation expenses. Considerable progress has been made, and women are even given preference in certain employment sectors, although the gender equality index in the labor force still heavily favors men. Women continue to face many barriers such as cultural and social norms, workplace inequality, and other factors that are not necessarily gender-specific. In certain sectors, such as healthcare and education, it is more socially acceptable to see women, and thus their presence is more prevalent.Ìý