Labor migration to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf during the oil boom (1960s–1980s)

1. Early oil revenues begin reshaping Gulf labor needs

   Jan 1, 1960Labels: Saudi Arabia, Gulf states

   • CFR
   • LOC Studies

2. Kafala sponsorship expands to manage migrant inflows

   Jan 1, 1970Labels: Kafala system, Employers

   • CFR

3. Oil embargo triggers revenue surge and spending

   Oct 1, 1973Labels: 1973 oil, OPEC

   • Britannica

4. Foreign employment grows quickly in Saudi Arabia

   Jan 1, 1975Labels: Saudi Arabia, Foreign workers

   • LOC Studies
   • LOC Plans

5. Jubail and Yanbu industrial strategy is launched

   Sep 21, 1975Labels: Royal Commission, Jubail and

   • RCJY
   • RCJY Wiki

6. Jubail Industrial City construction begins

   Jan 1, 1977Labels: Jubail Industrial, Construction

   • RCJY
   • Jubail

7. Development planning shifts toward “human development”

   Jan 1, 1980Labels: Third Five-Year, Human development

   • LOC Plans
   • WashPost

8. Expatriate share peaks during early-1980s boom

   Jan 1, 1980Labels: Expatriate workforce, Development plan

   • KSA Plans
   • LOC Studies

9. Foreign workers become a large share of Saudi labor

   Mar 4, 1981Labels: Saudi labor, Expatriates

   • WashPost

10. GCC forms amid shared labor and security challenges

    May 25, 1981Labels: GCC, Member states

    • GCC

11. 1986 oil price crash slows Gulf projects and hiring

    Jan 1, 1986Labels: 1986 price, Oil market

    • WashPost
    • LOC Plans

12. Oil-boom migration leaves lasting Gulf labor model

    Dec 31, 1989Labels: Oil-boom model, Kafala system

    • CFR
    • LOC Studies