RIYADH — A productive family is a well-known term in Saudi Arabia, referring to a small business venture that starts at home and is scaled up into the market. It is a key way for families and households to generate revenue, through the production of crafts, homewares, textiles or food.

According to the Social Development Bank (SDB), sales of such productive families reached SR13 billion in 2022, with a total number of people working in this sector exceeding 104,000. The Bank has launched an initiative to promote the products of this sector in the Kingdom.

Productive family entrepreneurs are often female. This is partly explained by the traditional role of women in society. Females are secluded from public decision-making, and are expected to obey their fathers, brothers, or husbands. They also have to carry the weight of the family’s honour in a society where honour is often more important than money or material possessions.

As a result, they are less likely to pursue careers in the formal sector and instead opt for creating and selling their own businesses in order to earn a steady income. The establishment of these businesses also helps them to meet the needs of their family members.

This has positive implications for the economy, as it encourages entrepreneurship and supports SDG goal 1 in ending poverty. In addition, it empowers women and helps to increase their economic participation. However, this trend is not without risks. In the long-term, if these trends continue to accelerate, it could lead to the erosion of family values and traditions and create a society that is more individualized and self-centered. اسر منتجة الرياض