How Saudi Arabia Plans to Redefine Itself by 2030

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a comprehensive national strategy unveiled in April 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

It sets out three overarching pillars: building a Vibrant Society, creating a Thriving Economy, and becoming an Ambitious Nation—targeted for realization by 2030.

What Is Vision 2030?

Vision 2030’s three pillars break down as follows:

• Vibrant Society: Enhancing quality of life through culture, health, and recreation. This includes increasing life expectancy, expanding entertainment access, and boosting Umrah pilgrimages.

• Thriving Economy: Reducing oil dependence through diversification, foreign investment, and new sectors like tourism, logistics, and renewable energy. Major “gigaprojects” include NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and the Mukaab.

• Ambitious Nation: Investing in education, governance, and institutional performance, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and digitization.

How It Works

The strategy is governed by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA), coordinating over a dozen Vision Realization Programs. Examples include:

• Sudair Solar PV Project: A 1.5 GW solar plant supporting clean energy targets.

• King Salman Park: A green urban development in Riyadh.

• Jeddah Central: A $20 billion redevelopment hub for tourism, culture, and housing.

These projects are supported by public-private partnerships, sovereign wealth funds, and targeted regulatory reform.

A Step Toward Structural Change

Vision 2030 is reshaping Saudi Arabia’s economy and identity:

• Economic Pivot: From hydrocarbon revenues to diversified sectors like technology, tourism, and entertainment. This includes moves to privatize parts of Aramco and open new economic zones.

• Global Investment Play: High-profile projects are attracting foreign capital but also increasing public debt to meet infrastructure goals.

• Social and Cultural Shifts: Expanded rights for women, a growing entertainment sector, and new cultural venues signal broader societal reforms—though critics point to ongoing concerns around labour rights and political freedoms.