Workforce nationalization refers to government-mandated programs requiring private sector employers to hire and develop a defined proportion of national citizens. In Saudi Arabia, workforce nationalization is implemented through the Saudization (Nitaqat) program. Similar programs operate across GCC countries under different names — Omanization, Emiratization, Kuwaitization. The goal is to reduce structural unemployment among nationals, reduce remittance outflows and build sustainable long-term domestic human capital. Effective workforce nationalization requires genuine investment in national talent development, competitive compensation and real career progression frameworks — not just quota compliance.