Programme Status: Active

For full programme analysis, see the Quality of Life Programme. Related coverage: culture and entertainment, cities and environment, Vision 2030 overview.

Key Metrics

Recent Milestones

• 8th UNESCO World Heritage Site achieved with the inscription of Hima Cultural Area, meeting the cultural heritage target ahead of the 2030 deadline.
• Riyadh Season matured into the world’s largest city entertainment festival, with annual editions attracting over 15 million visitors and generating billions of riyals in economic activity.
• Cinema sector grew from zero screens in 2017 to over 1,500 screens across the Kingdom, with AMC, VOX, Muvi, and other operators expanding into secondary cities.
• National Gaming and Esports Strategy launched with USD 38 billion in PIF-backed investment, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global gaming hub.
• Ministry of Culture activated with 11 cultural sector commissions covering heritage, arts, film, music, architecture, fashion, design, culinary arts, and more.
• AlUla development advanced as a world-class archaeological and cultural tourism destination with international recognition.
• Sports infrastructure expanded, including the hosting of Formula One, Formula E, boxing championships, golf tournaments, and esports events.
• 2034 FIFA World Cup hosting confirmed, the largest sporting event in the Kingdom’s history.

Delivery Assessment

The Quality of Life Program has delivered the most visible transformation in Saudi daily life. From a country with virtually no public entertainment infrastructure in 2016 to one hosting thousands of events annually, the cultural shift has been profound. The programme’s entertainment pillar, anchored by the Saudi Seasons framework, has created a year-round calendar of events that has fundamentally changed how Saudi residents spend their leisure time.

The cultural dimension has been equally significant. The Ministry of Culture’s 11 commissions have activated sectors that were dormant or non-existent. Saudi film production, contemporary art galleries, music academies, culinary tourism, and fashion design are all emerging industries creating employment, cultural expression, and soft power. The early achievement of the 8th UNESCO site validated the heritage preservation pillar.

Sports development has accelerated through a strategy combining international event hosting (which raises profiles and builds infrastructure) with grassroots participation programmes. However, the weekly physical activity target of 40% population participation remains significantly behind schedule at approximately 25%, reflecting the challenge of changing exercise habits in a car-dependent, hot-climate society. Sports infrastructure investment in parks, walking trails, cycling paths, and community fitness centres is ongoing but must scale further.

The entertainment spending target of 6% is progressing but faces the structural reality that consumer behaviour changes gradually. The 4.2% current level represents substantial growth from 2.9% but closing the remaining gap requires continued infrastructure expansion and cultural normalisation of entertainment spending as a household budget priority.

Outlook

The Quality of Life Program enters its final four years with strong cultural momentum and several major catalysts ahead. The 2034 FIFA World Cup will drive stadium construction, transportation infrastructure, and hospitality investment that directly enhances urban liveability. Qiddiya’s phased opening will add Saudi Arabia’s first major theme park destination. The gaming strategy’s maturation will provide digital entertainment options that complement physical venues. The primary challenge is achieving the liveability ranking target, which requires Riyadh, Jeddah, and a third city to demonstrate comprehensive quality-of-life improvements across multiple dimensions beyond entertainment alone.