7 - Saudi Vision 2030 and National Development

Summary

Since then-Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Programme on 25 April 2016, a great deal of analysis has focused on the potential impact of the Vision at the national level. Prince Mohammed wanted to establish a more direct connection with the young populace, but despite the prince’s strong youth appeal, in reality he is asking more of them: more contributions to the economy, more personal sacrifice for the country. Vision 2030 is a wide-ranging plan to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and reduce oil-dependency, thereby transforming Saudi Arabia’s economic model by making the private sector the engine for growth and jobs. In light of oil price fluctuations since 2014, the Saudi government has attempted to respond to socio-economic pressures. This chapter examines young men’s attitudes to Saudi Vision 2030 and their related hopes and aspirations. It also discusses attitudes to corruption and the introduction of taxation, as well as the desire to participate in national development.