Qurrah in Saudi Arabia
Qurrah is Saudi Arabia’s Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) childcare-subsidy programme for employed Saudi mothers. In 2026, it remains one of the practical Vision 2030 tools for reducing daycare costs and supporting female labour force retention.
Overview
Qurrah addresses a critical barrier to female workforce retention: the high cost of childcare relative to women’s salaries in the private sector. Many Saudi women, particularly those in early-career or mid-level positions, face a financial calculation where childcare costs consume a significant portion of their earnings, making continued employment economically impractical.
The programme provides monthly childcare subsidies to eligible working Saudi mothers, covering a portion of the fees charged by registered nurseries and daycare centres. The subsidy amount varies based on the child’s age and the mother’s salary level, with higher support provided for lower-income workers. Qurrah works through a network of registered childcare providers and uses digital platforms for enrolment and payment management.
Qurrah operates alongside Wusool (transportation subsidies) as part of HRDF’s integrated approach to removing practical barriers to female employment. Together, these programmes address the two most commonly cited financial obstacles — transport and childcare — that prevent Saudi women from entering or remaining in the private-sector workforce.
Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) |
| Target Group | Employed Saudi mothers |
| Benefit | Monthly childcare subsidy |
| Eligibility | Based on salary level and child age |
| Providers | Network of registered nurseries and daycares |
| Companion Programme | Wusool (transportation subsidy) |
Role in Vision 2030
Qurrah supports Vision 2030’s female labour force participation targets by making it financially viable for Saudi mothers to continue working after having children. The programme addresses a retention challenge — many women who enter the workforce leave after becoming parents due to childcare costs. By providing ongoing financial support, Qurrah helps protect the investment in recruitment, training, and career development that both employers and the state have made in female workers.
The programme also indirectly supports the growth of the childcare sector itself, incentivizing the establishment of nurseries and daycare centres that create additional employment opportunities for Saudi women.