$155B Investment Anchoring the Saudi Creative Economy
Saudi Arabia is channeling an unprecedented $155 billion into its entertainment and cultural industries, signaling a deliberate shift toward a diversified economy where creativity holds equal weight to commerce. This investment is more than headline-grabbing spectacles; it is the foundation of a Saudi Creative Economy designed to generate jobs, attract global partnerships, and redefine the Kingdom’s identity on the world stage.
On September 29–30, 2025, the Cultural Investment Conference, held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, produced 89 agreements worth SR5 billion ($1.33 billion), reflecting the Kingdom’s growing momentum in diversifying its economy through culture. Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan described the conference as a milestone, noting how far the sector has come since 2018, when its contribution to the national economy was just SR30 billion.
Doubling Cultural GDP Contribution: SR60 Billion ($16B) in 2023
For decades, Saudi Arabia’s global image was tied to energy exports. Today, Vision 2030 is reshaping that narrative by positioning culture and entertainment as engines of growth. The Saudi Creative Economy is creating thousands of jobs, expanding tourism, and embedding storytelling, music, film, and esports into the nation’s economic DNA. This transformation reflects the pillars of Vision 2030: a thriving economy, a vibrant society, and an ambitious nation.
Since the launch of Vision 2030 and the creation of 11 cultural commissions, the sector has expanded dramatically. By 2023, culture contributed SR60 billion ($16 Billion) to the national economy, double its pre-2018 levels. This surge highlights the Saudi Creative Economy as a central pillar of diversification, with culture now positioned alongside energy, tourism, and technology as a driver of growth.
SR81 Billion ($21.6B) in Cultural Infrastructure: Largest in Saudi History
Public and private investments have exceeded SR81 billion ($21.6 billion), dedicated to museums, venues, and large-scale events. This represents the largest cultural infrastructure investment in Saudi history. Such spending is expected to contribute at least 3 percent of GDP, reinforcing culture as a strategic pillar of Vision 2030. Investor confidence will be critical to sustaining this trajectory.
Workforce Growth: 234,000 Jobs and 51,000 Companies
The Saudi Creative Economy is also reshaping the labor market. By 2023, the cultural workforce reached 234,000, while the number of companies operating in cultural activities exceeded 51,000, a 23.6 percent increase since 2021. Graduates in cultural fields rose by 79 percent in one year, and the sector’s job market expanded by 65 percent, reflecting rapid capacity-building. Vision 2030 targets 255,000 graduates in cultural disciplines and the creation of 346,000 jobs, underscoring the sector’s role in long-term employment growth.
Cultural Development Fund: SR13.8 Billion to Bridge Financing Gaps
Prince Badr highlighted the Cultural Development Fund’s role in empowering 1,517 entrepreneurs across cultural fields. The Fund aims to bridge 45 percent of the financing gap, inject SR13.8 billion ($3.7 billion) in support, and create 30,000 jobs in partnership with the private sector. These initiatives ensure that the Saudi Creative Economy is not only driven by large-scale projects but also by grassroots entrepreneurship and SME growth.
Film Industry: SR3.5 Billion ($933M) Invested, SR900 Million Annual Revenues
The film and cinema sector is emerging as one of the most attractive areas for investors. More than SR3.5 billion ($933 million) has already been invested, generating SR900 million ($240 million) in annual ticket revenues. With over 630 cinema screens opened across 60 locations by 2024, and ambitions to exceed 1,000 screens by 2030, the industry is creating thousands of jobs while strengthening Saudi Arabia’s non-oil revenue streams. Events like the Red Sea International Film Festival showcase Saudi talent and attract global audiences, reinforcing the Kingdom’s cultural diplomacy.
Cultural Events Surpass Vision 2030 Targets: 23.5M Attendees
Between 2021 and 2024, more than 23.5 million people attended cultural events, surpassing Vision 2030’s target of 22 million. This surge reflects the growing appetite for cultural experiences and the success of initiatives like Riyadh Season, which blend entertainment, tourism, and heritage. Such achievements position the Saudi Creative Economy as a global player in cultural tourism.
Artists as the Greatest Asset
Prince Badr emphasized that Saudi artists remain the “greatest and most valuable of cultural investment.” Their ability to connect with global audiences through innovative storytelling and creative expression is central to the Kingdom’s cultural rebrand. Upcoming initiatives, such as the Riyadh University of the Arts, will further support artists’ careers and nurture the next generation of cultural leaders.
Looking Ahead: A Global Creative Hub by 2030
Saudi Arabia’s cultural sector is on track to becoming the core driver of economic diversification. With SR81 billion ($21.6 billion) in infrastructure, SR5 billion ($1.33 billion) in new agreements, and ambitious targets for jobs and graduates, the Saudi Creative Economy is laying the foundation for a global creative hub. By 2030, Riyadh and other cultural centers aim to compete with Los Angeles, London, and Dubai, exporting Saudi creativity to the world while reinforcing national identity at home.
Also Read: Saudi Entertainment & Amusement Market Growth: A Data-Driven Outlook
