Mohammed bin Salman’s decade-long hold on power has produced a profound reshaping of Saudi Arabia’s society, economy and foreign policy, according to accounts in the Saudi and international press and assessments by global institutions.
Key reforms that began after King Salman elevated his son to central government roles in 2015 have opened public life, loosened social restrictions and reoriented state finances toward diversification, while prompting continued scrutiny over political rights and the pace of change.
Observers point to a string of policy moves since 2015 that have changed everyday life in the kingdom. In 2016 authorities curtailed enforcement powers of the religious police. In 2017 the government reintroduced physical education for girls in schools. Cinemas, closed for decades, reopened in 2018. A tourist e-visa was introduced in 2019, and the government reported a record 30 million foreign tourists in 2024, generating sizable inbound spending and a travel-services surplus.
Those social shifts have been matched by economic measures under the Vision 2030 program launched in 2016. Riyadh has cut broad energy and utility subsidies, introduced a value-added tax in 2018 and raised it to 15 percent in 2020 during the pandemic. The International Monetary Fund, in a September 2024 assessment, described robust non-oil activity, contained inflation, record-low unemployment and adequate buffers, while urging a calibrated investment tempo to avoid overheating.
The state has also pursued large-scale development projects designed to create new industrial clusters and attract private capital. Initiatives include NEOM, a planned high-technology city; Diriyah, a redevelopment of the historic Al Saud capital; multi-site tourism developments along the Red Sea; and Qiddiya, an entertainment and sports hub. Officials say the projects are intended to catalyze supply chains and skills and reduce dependence on oil revenues.
The role of women in public and economic life is among the most visible changes. Reforms eliminating male guardian permissions for work, travel and many civil transactions, together with lifting the driving ban, have supported a surge of female participation across sectors from law and finance to aviation and hospitality. The World Bank estimates female labor-force participation at roughly 35 percent, about double the rate a decade earlier.
Public health and sport have been elevated as government priorities, extending beyond high-profile international events to everyday participation. Authorities set a national target to raise weekly physical-activity rates to 40 percent by 2030; official figures cited by analysts show citizen participation climbing from around 13 percent in 2015 to more than 48 percent by 2022. The government has promoted women’s sports programs and e-sports initiatives, including hosting the Esports World Cup in Riyadh in 2024.
The opening to tourists and cultural events has coincided with an outward-looking diplomatic posture. Riyadh hosted high-level talks on Ukraine in 2023 attended by more than 40 countries, has engaged in mediation efforts in Sudan, and has said it will not normalize relations with Israel without a credible path to a Palestinian state. The kingdom also secured the rights to host Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034, commitments that officials say will maintain international attention on the country.
Credit markets and rating agencies have responded to the economic shifts. Moody’s upgraded the sovereign to Aa3 in November 2024, S&P raised the rating to A+ in March 2025, and Fitch affirmed an A+ rating with a stable outlook in July 2025. Analysts note those moves reduce borrowing costs and can broaden access to private capital, supporting Vision 2030 objectives.
At the same time, rights groups and press organizations continue to document restrictions on political liberties, freedom of expression and independent media. International critics and diplomatic partners have repeatedly raised concerns following high-profile cases and detentions. Analysts say rapid reforms that alter entrenched interests can generate both political pushback and governance challenges.
Saudi officials and supporters of the Crown Prince say the combination of shock reforms and sustained strategic planning is intended to institutionalize change so it cannot be easily reversed. Commentators draw parallels with other long-tenured leaders who combined sweeping reforms with institutional consolidation, while cautioning that the next phase will test Riyadh’s ability to deepen governance reforms, widen public debate and manage the tempo of mega-project investment.
Economists note a balancing act: fiscal consolidation and subsidy reform have created budgetary space for targeted investments, but sustaining private-sector growth will require continued attention to regulatory frameworks, education and skills development. The IMF’s September 2024 review urged prudent calibration of investment to prevent overheating and to maintain macroeconomic stability as non-oil sectors expand.
Those who have observed Saudi life across decades point to vivid everyday changes. Measures that once barred girls from school sports have been reversed, mixed-gender work environments are increasingly common in ministries and private firms, and tourists now visit restored heritage sites and new attractions that did not exist a decade ago. Yet the long-term durability of the reforms depends on institutional safeguards and on how the government addresses outstanding political and civil liberties concerns.
As Mohammed bin Salman enters his fifth decade, the kingdom faces choices about how to convert short-term gains into enduring institutional change. Officials emphasize the need to lock reforms in legally and administratively, while critics and some foreign partners press for expanded freedoms and accountability. The trajectory of Saudi Arabia’s transformation will be shaped by how those priorities are reconciled in the years leading up to 2030 and beyond.