Saudi Arabia increases mandatory localization rates in four health professions

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has announced higher mandatory localization rates for four key health professions in the private sector. Starting from April 17, 2024, the localization rate for radiology will rise to 65 percent, medical laboratory to 70 percent, therapeutic nutrition to 80 percent and physiotherapy to 80 percent.

The new rates will initially apply to facilities in major cities such as Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Dammam and Alkhobar, as well as to large facilities in other regions. A second phase, set to begin on October 17, 2025, will extend these localization requirements to all facilities nationwide.

This move is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to increase employment opportunities for its nationals and improve the quality of healthcare in the private sector. Businesses that fail to meet the required localization quotas will face fines.

In March of this year, the ministries introduced a 35 percent localization rate for dental professions, which became effective on March 10. This applies to private sector establishments with three or more dental professionals, aiming to create more job opportunities for Saudi citizens across the Kingdom.