THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC INVESTMENT PLANNING IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of public investment planning in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through a quantitative descriptive-analytical approach grounded in statistical methods. The research  aims to assess the institutional and operational efficiency of planning mechanisms governing the formulation, prioritization, and coordination of government investment projects under the framework of Vision 2030. Primary data were collected via a structured questionnaire distributed to professionals across major governmental institutions engaged in public investment management, including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy and Planning, and related national centers. Out of 450 distributed questionnaires, 391 valid responses were obtained and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques such as measures of central tendency, standard deviation, and one-way ANOVA to examine significant variations across entities, experience levels, and job categories. The results indicate a moderately high level of planning effectiveness (overall mean = 3.89, SD = 0.76), with strength in clarity of objectives and institutional alignment, while moderate performance was observed in data integration, technical capacity, and inter-agency coordination. These findings provide statistically validated evidence of substantial institutional progress in Saudi investment governance, yet highlight the need for enhanced analytical capabilities, capacity development, and standardized project selection frameworks. From a broader perspective, the study contributes to the applied literature on public investment management by integrating empirical data with statistical modeling, offering insights that support evidence based policy formulation in rapidly transforming economies.

Received: October 11, 2025
Accepted: November 12, 2025