Transforming Saudi Arabia

Few countries have attempted an economic transformation as ambitious as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and this book examines its deeper roots, tracing the evolution of the Kingdom’s oil-based development model and the forces driving reform.The book follows Saudi Arabia’s economic, political, and social evolution from the 1980s to the present, culminating in the reforms launched under Vision 2030. It first analyses the structure of the Saudi economy and its reliance on oil revenues, showing how this model shaped state institutions, welfare provision, and economic policy. It then explores the political and social dynamics underpinning reform, including demographic change, governance patterns, and an evolving social contract. Subsequent chapters assess the reforms associated with Vision 2030, their impact on diversification, labour markets, housing, and social change, and the financing mechanisms supporting them, ultimately offering a comprehensive evaluation of the Kingdom’s ongoing economic transformation.