• Primary Program Energy and Macroeconomics
  • Research Interests Labor Economics, demography, policy analysis.

Biography

Cian contributes to the KAPSARC initiative on Productivity and Economic Diversification in Saudi Arabia. His current work focuses on economic diversification in Saudi Arabia, labor dynamics in GCC countries, gender employment gaps in the GCC, and policy recommendations for Saudi Vision 2030 goals. Before joining the center, he worked as an energy analyst in Vienna. Most recently, he served as the editor of Intereconomics Review of European Economic Policy in Hamburg, where he worked with academics all over the world to publish and promote diverse research topics for a policy-oriented readership.

Publications

See all Cian’s publications
  • Data Insight
  • Instant Insights
  • External journal article
  • Think20 (T20)
Saudis in the Private Sector: Women Leading the Way

Saudis in the Private Sector: Women Leading the Way

In Q3 2018, 30% of Saudi employment was in the private sector, and by Q1 2022 this had increased to 46%. A major driver of this increase was the comparative outperformance of Saudi women, of whom over 60% now work in the private sector, compared with 40% of Saudi men. At the beginning of the series in Q3 2018, over 75% of employed Saudi women worked in the public sector. However, in the same period Saudi female labor force participation increased from under 20% to 34% – fulfilling a major policy objective of Saudi Vision 2030.

7th December 2022
COVID-19 and Employment in Saudi Arabia: An Initial Assessment

COVID-19 and Employment in Saudi Arabia: An Initial Assessment

In the space of a few short weeks in March, the COVID-19 pandemic took over every aspect of our lives and caused the global economy to grind to a standstill. Health concerns over the spread and mortality rate of the virus understandably took priority in the first phase of the pandemic, as governments issued travel bans and lockdowns in an attempt to limit uncontrolled community spread and prevent overloading of national health systems.

28th May 2020
How to Empower Saudi Women in the Labor Force?

How to Empower Saudi Women in the Labor Force?

In the week when Saudi Arabia celebrated its first anniversary of women drivers in the Kingdom and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accepted the chair of the G20 summit for 2020, G20 countries – including Saudi Arabia – reaffirmed their commitment to furthering the empowerment of women in society. Pew Research also released a report showing that Saudi Arabia had the fastest growing female labor force participation rate of all the G20 countries. Increasing female labor force participation, a key target of Saudi Vision 2030, is a key indicator of female empowerment. In light of these developments, it is worth taking a look at the factors that influence female labor force participation.

7th July 2019

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