Disability and Employment Inclusion in a Transforming Economy: Epidemiological Evidence from National Survey Data.

Abstract

Employment inclusion for persons with disabilities is a critical public-health and social-justice priority. In Saudi Arabia, the intersection of disability, gender, and national reform under Vision 2030 presents unique challenges and opportunities for equitable labour participation. This study examined employment patterns, structural determinants, and potential policy pathways to enhance inclusion among Saudis with disabilities. A cross-sectional analytical design was applied using nationally representative data from the 2017 Saudi Disability Survey (n = 1 312 261 working-age individuals). Employment status served as the dependent variable, while severity, difficulty scope, sex, marital status, and access to Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) services were predictors. Weighted descriptive statistics and grouped logistic regression were used to identify correlates of employment, followed by counterfactual simulations estimating potential gains under alternative policy scenarios. National employment among persons with disabilities was 18.5%, with pronounced disparities by gender and severity. Men were 2.6 times more likely than women to be employed (AOR = 2.64, P < .001). Each severity level reduced employment odds by ≈40%, while MLSD service access modestly improved inclusion (AOR = 1.21). Married individuals showed higher participation (AOR = 1.32). Simulations projected that integrated policies combining expanded service coverage and gender-targeted incentives could raise employment inclusion by ≈5% points. Employment inclusion in Saudi Arabia remains strongly shaped by gender and functional severity, with institutional services offering limited but positive effects. Findings highlight the need for multi-sectoral strategies-linking rehabilitation, workplace accessibility, and gender-equity reforms-to advance national inclusion goals. The 2017 survey provides a baseline for evaluating Vision 2030 reforms and future longitudinal assessments of disability employment.