Yes, LinkedIn is available and widely used in Saudi Arabia. As a major professional networking platform, LinkedIn has an important presence in the Saudi business community.
LinkedIn Usage and Popularity in Saudi Arabia
With a population of over 34 million, Saudi Arabia represents a major market in the Middle East. According to official statistics from LinkedIn, the platform has over 6 million members in Saudi Arabia as of October 2022.
This makes Saudi Arabia the 7th largest market for LinkedIn worldwide. After the United States, India, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France and Canada, Saudi Arabia is the country with the next highest number of LinkedIn users globally.
In addition, LinkedIn usage in Saudi Arabia has seen rapid growth over the past few years. Between 2015 and 2022, LinkedIn’s membership base in Saudi Arabia increased by over 140%.
Key LinkedIn User Statistics for Saudi Arabia
| Total Members | Over 6 million |
| Member Growth (2015-2022) | Over 140% increase |
| Monthly Active Users | 2.7 million (Q4 2021) |
With over 2.7 million monthly active users as of Q4 2021, LinkedIn has a high level of regular engagement in Saudi Arabia. The platform’s growth has been driven by rising internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and a young tech-savvy population entering the workforce.
Why is LinkedIn Popular in Saudi Arabia?
There are several key factors that explain why LinkedIn has become so popular in Saudi Arabia:
Economic Diversification and Globalization
As part of plans to diversify the economy under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is focused on developing the private sector, attracting foreign investment, and integrating with the global economy. This has increased demand for professional networking tools like LinkedIn among Saudi businesses and workers.
Young Demographics
Over 50% of the Saudi population is under 30. This tech-savvy demographic is driving adoption of sites like LinkedIn as they enter the workforce and look to create professional contacts and opportunities.
Rise of Social Media
Saudi Arabia has seen massive growth in social media usage over the past decade. As the population has embraced social networks, platforms like LinkedIn have naturally gained popularity for professional networking.
Government Support
The Saudi government has supported the growth of LinkedIn and social media through initiatives like the e-Government Program. Government agencies themselves extensively use LinkedIn for outreach and engagement.
How do Saudi Professionals Use LinkedIn?
Saudi professionals leverage LinkedIn in diverse ways to support their careers, including:
Networking and Making Connections
Expanding their professional networks by connecting with colleagues, clients, partners, and experts in their industries.
Job Searching
Using LinkedIn Jobs to search for and apply to employment opportunities, and connecting with recruiters.
Showcasing Skills and Achievements
Highlighting their professional profiles, accomplishments, certifications, and other credentials to stand out to potential employers.
Business Development
Identifying new business leads, partners, and investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia and globally.
Thought Leadership and Personal Branding
Publishing posts, articles, and presentations to demonstrate domain expertise and build their personal brands.
Learning and Development
Following industry influencers, companies, and publications to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends.
Key Industries Using LinkedIn in Saudi Arabia
Some of the top industries actively leveraging LinkedIn in Saudi Arabia include:
Banking and Financial Services
Banks, investment firms, and insurance companies use LinkedIn for talent recruitment, marketing services, and connecting with clients.
Oil, Gas, and Energy
State oil giant Saudi Aramco and energy firms have an extensive presence on LinkedIn to connect with suppliers, partners, workers, and stakeholders globally.
Government and Public Sector
Government ministries, agencies, and public sector bodies use LinkedIn for outreach, public relations, and recruiting talent.
Healthcare
Hospitals, clinics, and health professionals connect on LinkedIn to share knowledge, publicize services, and collaborate.
Higher Education
Universities and colleges in Saudi Arabia use LinkedIn to engage students and alumni, share research, and recruit faculty.
Technology and IT
Saudi technology firms and IT professionals network on LinkedIn to attract talent, develop partnerships, and participate in industry discourse.
Challenges and Limitations of LinkedIn in Saudi Arabia
While LinkedIn is widely used, it also faces some challenges in the Saudi context:
Language Barriers
English proficiency levels remain low, making the English-language interface difficult for some users.
Competition from Local Networks
Homegrown professional networks like Cut50 attract users focused on Saudi-specific connections.
Slow Adoption Among Small Businesses
Smaller, traditional companies are slower to adopt LinkedIn compared to large corporations.
Limitations for Women
Cultural norms and limited workplace participation by women reduce professional networking opportunities.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn has proven to be an immensely popular professional networking platform in Saudi Arabia. With over 6 million users and growing, LinkedIn is leveraged by major industries and professionals across the country. However, localization barriers and cultural gender issues pose some limitations on full adoption. Overall, LinkedIn has become a vital tool for business, employment, and engagement in the Saudi context.
