Uber has released the findings of its Economic Impact Report for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, outlining the company’s contribution to the economy and its influence on mobility, local businesses, and earning opportunities in 2023, as well as over the past decade since its entry into the market.
Conducted by independent consultancy Public First, the report estimates that Uber contributed SAR 1.1 billion to the Saudi economy.
The event also featured a panel discussion on Uber’s impact in Saudi Arabia, emphasising its role in enhancing connectivity, empowering entrepreneurs, and supporting the Kingdom’s digital transformation in line with Vision 2030.
Economic Opportunities
As Uber marks a decade in Saudi Arabia, the report reflects on the company’s growth and impact.
Flexible and reliable earning opportunities remain central to Uber’s model, with Saudi drivers earning 42% more than their next best alternative.
In 2023, Uber drivers collectively earned an additional SAR 270 million through the platform, with nearly a quarter using app-based opportunities to start or expand a business.
Uber’s flexibility was valued at SAR 400 million, reinforcing its role in providing drivers with control over their schedules and financial independence.
Uber has also contributed to Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and tourism sectors by improving access to travel for residents and visitors.
In 2023, the platform generated SAR 74 million in additional value for the leisure economy and SAR 500 million for the tourism industry.
According to the report, 69% of riders use Uber to explore new restaurants and cafés, while visitors from over 150 countries utilised the app during their stay in the Kingdom.
The company’s Wusool initiative, in partnership with the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), has facilitated over 20 million subsidised rides to work for Saudi women, supporting the Kingdom’s efforts to increase female labour force participation.
Mobility and Innovation
With 88% of riders citing convenience and 90% prioritising safety, Uber has become an integral part of daily life in Saudi Arabia.
Riders saved an estimated 2.5 million hours – equivalent to 285 years – by using Uber compared to their next best alternative.
Additionally, 71% of riders identified Uber as the safest way to travel home late at night, and 60% of Saudi women stated that it would be difficult to find a safe travel option at night without services like Uber.
Over the past decade, Uber has introduced innovative features such as Women Preferred View, Uber Reserve, and more recently, Uber X-Share, promoting sustainability and shared mobility solutions.
These align with Saudi Arabia’s goal of fostering a technology-driven, sustainable future and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
Since its launch in 2014, Uber has adapted to meet the evolving needs of Saudi consumers and businesses. Key milestones include the introduction of Uber Reserve, integration with Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR), and the Women Preferred View feature, which has contributed to Saudi Arabia becoming Uber’s largest market for female drivers in the Middle East and Africa.
Youssef Abouseif, General Manager of Uber in Saudi Arabia, commented on the report’s findings:
“Over the past decade, Uber has helped shape modern mobility and created tangible economic opportunities for thousands of people across the Kingdom. This report reaffirms our commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious growth and innovation goals, in line with Vision 2030.”
“We are grateful for the Kingdom’s continued leadership and vision driving Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and technological advancement, and we look forward to continuing to be a trusted partner in the country’s future.”
Since its initial launch in Riyadh in 2014, Uber has expanded to cities including Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca, and Khobar, becoming an essential part of daily life for millions of Saudis.
Featured image credit: Uber
