7 Things You Need to Know About NEOM (So You Don't Confuse It with Vision 2030)
While NEOM is one of the Kingdom’s boldest undertakings, it’s just one piece of the bigger puzzle. Here are seven key things you need to know about NEOM to understand what it really is—and how it fits into the bigger picture.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a sweeping roadmap for national transformation—but many people mistakenly equate it entirely with NEOM. While NEOM is one of the Kingdom’s boldest undertakings, it’s just one piece of the bigger puzzle. Here are seven key things you need to know about NEOM to understand what it really is—and how it fits into the bigger picture.
1. NEOM Is a Project, Vision 2030 Is a National Strategy
Vision 2030 is Saudi Arabia’s master plan for diversifying its economy, enhancing quality of life, and reducing dependency on oil. NEOM, launched in 2017, is one of many giga-projects under this vision—but Vision 2030 also includes education reform, women’s empowerment, SME growth, tourism development, and more.
2. NEOM Has a Physical Location—Vision 2030 Doesn’t
NEOM is a real place. It’s located in the Tabuk region of northwestern Saudi Arabia, stretching over 26,500 square kilometers along the Red Sea. Vision 2030, on the other hand, is a national transformation strategy with no single physical footprint. It applies to the entire Kingdom.
3. NEOM Is a Long-Term Project Beyond 2030
While Vision 2030 targets key reforms by the year 2030, NEOM is designed to grow and evolve far beyond that. Full completion of NEOM’s core components—such as The Line, Oxagon, and Trojena—is expected closer to 2045. It’s a generational project, not a 5-year plan.
4. NEOM Is a Cluster of Projects, Not Just a City
NEOM is not a single city—it’s a region made up of multiple visionary developments:
- The Line: A 170km linear urban city with no roads or cars.
- Oxagon: A floating industrial city centered on advanced manufacturing.
- Trojena: A mountain resort offering outdoor skiing.
- Sindalah: A luxury island destination that opened in 2024. Each of these has its own identity, function, and timeline.
5. NEOM Is About Exporting Innovation
NEOM isn’t just for Saudi Arabia. It’s a global sandbox for innovation—developing green hydrogen, AI-powered urban systems, regenerative architecture, and clean energy solutions that can be exported around the world. Vision 2030 enables Saudi Arabia to lead in global problem-solving—and NEOM is one of its sharpest tools.
6. NEOM Is Not Where Most Vision 2030 Progress Happens
Saudi Arabia’s most measurable Vision 2030 progress has happened across the entire Kingdom:
- Women’s workforce participation increased to 35.5%
- SME numbers more than doubled from 2016 to 2023
- Riyadh became a global tech and finance hub
- Cultural and sports events are flourishing nationwide NEOM is a symbol—but not the sole engine of progress.
7. NEOM Is a Bet on the Future, Not the Present
Vision 2030 is grounded in practical reforms happening now. NEOM is a moonshot. It’s a high-risk, high-reward experiment that’s meant to stretch imagination, attract global talent, and inspire a new generation of Saudis. But it’s not the only—or even the primary—measure of the Kingdom’s transformation.
Final Thought
Understanding the difference between NEOM and Vision 2030 helps us appreciate the full scope of Saudi Arabia’s transformation. NEOM is a headline-grabber, yes—but the real story of Vision 2030 is being written all across the Kingdom, every day.
This article is published in The Vision Gazette, your source for navigating the future of Saudi Arabia.
