THE IMPACT OF VISION 2030 ON SAUDI YOUTH MINDSETS

In April 2016, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled Saudi Vision 2030, and the accompanying National Transformation Programme. To mark the fifth anniversary of the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom's economic and diversification blueprint, Crown Prince Mohammed appeared on a popular Saudi talk show to discuss the progress of the Vision's National Transformation Programs and address the concerns of average citizens in relation to national development. Following the launch of the Vision, my 2017 paper Saudi Vision 2030: A Viable Response to Youth Aspirations and Concerns? documented young male perceptions of Vision 2030 including their expectations and aspirations for the future. This paper revisits the themes discussed in the earlier one and asks to what extent Vision 2030 has impacted Saudi youth mindsets and behaviour. What have been the significant transformations from the perspectives of Saudi youth of both genders, and are these transformations perceived as desirable, personally beneficial, and long lasting? It also documents that whilst there is widespread support for the Vision, there are concerns about the pace of change, as well as the perception that to date, there has been an over-emphasis on elite interests.