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Riyadh City Voluntary Local Review on Sustainable Development Goals to the United ‎Nations (2024)‎

Riyadh City Voluntary Local Review on Sustainable Development Goals to the United ‎Nations (2024)‎

17 November, 2025

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) Published the city’s first Voluntary Local Review (VLR) on the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) platform.

The report reflects the significant progress Riyadh has made in vital areas, including health, education, transport, and quality of life. The rate of traffic accident fatalities decreased from 15 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019 to 5.2 in 2022. The use of traffic camera systems increased by 320%, and 12.3 million trucks were inspected at weighing stations. Additionally, three new 911 security operations centers have been established. In the health sector, the city now has 45 hospitals and 136 primary healthcare centers across 207 neighborhoods, ensuring a large portion of the population can access health services within 30 minutes.

The report also shows that percentage of residents living within 300 meters of public spaces rose from 28% in 2019 to 35% in 2022, while the figure for youth increased from 3.8% to 15%. In terms of urban security, the city recorded an average of 1.05 crimes per 100,000 people, which is one of the lowest rates globally, for comparison, Paris has 2 and New York has 5. The rate of violent crime also dropped to 99 crimes per 100,000 people.

The report was prepared in partnership with over 46 government, private, and non-profit entities. This collaborative methodology highlights the city’s robust governance model and confirms its ability to align local priorities with global development trends.