Saudi Arabia Quality of Life Programme: Vision 2030 Livability

The Quality of Life Programme (QoLP) is one of Vision 2030’s thirteen Vision Realisation Programmes, designed to transform Saudi Arabia’s livability by expanding entertainment, sports, cultural, and recreational options for residents and visitors. Launched in 2018, the programme addresses a fundamental recognition that attracting and retaining talent, encouraging tourism, and building a vibrant society require a comprehensive quality of life offering that matches the Kingdom’s economic ambitions. The QoLP targets having three Saudi cities ranked among the top 100 most livable cities globally by 2030.

Programme Objectives

The Quality of Life Programme pursues interconnected objectives across multiple dimensions of daily life. Key targets include increasing household spending on cultural and entertainment activities from 2.9 percent to 6 percent of total spending, raising the proportion of individuals exercising at least once weekly from 13 percent to 40 percent, developing world-class cultural and entertainment venues across the Kingdom, and creating public spaces and urban amenities that enhance community well-being. The programme operates through coordinated initiatives across government ministries, public authorities, and private sector partners.

Entertainment Sector Development

The establishment of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) in 2016 marked a watershed in Saudi Arabia’s social transformation, introducing concerts, theatrical performances, comedy shows, festivals, and other entertainment events to a Kingdom where such activities were previously restricted. The Riyadh Season and Jeddah Season festivals have grown into massive entertainment events attracting millions of attendees to concerts, dining experiences, immersive exhibitions, and sporting events. The development of Qiddiya, a SAR 23 billion entertainment mega-project southwest of Riyadh, will create a world-class destination featuring theme parks, a motorsport complex, water parks, and cultural attractions.

Sports and Wellness

The QoLP has dramatically expanded sports participation and infrastructure across Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Sports for All Federation promotes mass participation in physical activity through community sports programmes, running events, and fitness initiatives. Major international sporting events, including Formula 1 (Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah), FIFA World Cup qualification matches, boxing world championship bouts, and PGA golf tournaments, have been hosted in the Kingdom. The development of sports facilities including gyms, pools, sports clubs, and public parks across cities provides residents with access to recreational and fitness infrastructure.

Cultural Institutions

Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in building cultural institutions that serve both residents and visitors. The Ministry of Culture, established in 2018, oversees eleven cultural authorities covering film, music, visual arts, performing arts, architecture, fashion, heritage, culinary arts, museums, books and publishing, and libraries. The development of museums, galleries, theatres, and cultural centers in Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, and other cities is creating a cultural infrastructure that supports creative industries and enriches daily life. The Riyadh Art programme has installed hundreds of public art installations across the capital, transforming the urban landscape.

Urban Development and Public Spaces

The QoLP emphasises the development of high-quality urban environments with accessible public spaces, walkable neighborhoods, green areas, and community amenities. The Riyadh Green Project aims to plant 7.5 million trees across the capital, creating parks, green corridors, and shaded pedestrian paths that improve air quality and encourage outdoor activity. The Jeddah Waterfront development, King Salman Park in Riyadh (one of the world’s largest urban parks), and the revitalisation of historic urban cores in cities across the Kingdom represent major investments in urban livability.

Women’s Participation

The QoLP has been instrumental in expanding opportunities for Saudi women to participate in entertainment, sports, cultural, and social activities. Women can now attend sporting events, concerts, and festivals alongside men, participate in competitive and recreational sports, pursue careers in the entertainment and cultural industries, and access public spaces and amenities on equal terms. The programme has supported the development of women’s sports leagues, fitness facilities, and cultural programming that specifically address the interests and needs of Saudi women.

Tourism and Hospitality

The quality of life infrastructure being developed under the QoLP directly supports Saudi Arabia’s tourism ambitions. Entertainment venues, cultural attractions, sporting events, restaurants, and public spaces provide the experiential content that attracts domestic and international tourists. The development of a diverse hospitality sector, from luxury hotels to mid-market accommodation and serviced apartments, ensures that visitors have appropriate lodging options. The tourism e-visa programme, introduced in 2019, has simplified access for international visitors seeking to experience Saudi Arabia’s expanding cultural and entertainment offering.

Economic Impact

The Quality of Life Programme generates significant economic impact through job creation, consumer spending, and private sector investment. The entertainment sector alone has created tens of thousands of jobs in event management, production, hospitality, and related services. Private sector investment in cinemas, restaurants, fitness facilities, entertainment venues, and cultural spaces has surged. The programme’s contribution to making Saudi Arabia an attractive place to live and work supports the broader Vision 2030 objective of retaining Saudi talent and attracting skilled international professionals to the Kingdom.