Saudi Arabia’s population grew to an estimated 35.1 million in 2024. This expansion coincides with a highly urbanized society, where over 83% of residents lived in cities by 2010. Key demographic forces, including a net migration rate of 4.5 migrants per thousand people, continue to reshape the nation.
Key Takeaways
- Saudi Arabia’s population was 28.5 million in 2007 (World Bank)
- 36.6 million people in Saudi Arabia in 2021
- Saudi Arabia had 36.0 million people in 2023
- 3.1% population growth rate in Saudi Arabia in 2015
- 83.3% of the population living in urban areas in Saudi Arabia in 2010
- 34,801,000 people living in urban areas in Saudi Arabia in 2023
- Urban population count in Saudi Arabia was 29,000,000 in 2010
- Saudi Arabia’s crude death rate was 3.3 deaths per 1,000 population in 2023
- Saudi Arabia’s infant mortality rate is 8.5 deaths per 1,000 live births (World Bank, 2023)
- Saudi Arabia’s total fertility rate was 2.8 births per woman in 2010
- Saudi Arabia net migration rate is 4.5 migrants per 1,000 population in 2023 (World Bank)
- Saudi Arabia’s foreign-born population share is 36.9% in 2020 (UN DESA)
- Saudi Arabia old-age dependency ratio is 8.6 dependents per 100 working-age people (World Bank/UNICEF-style dependency ratio series)
- Saudi Arabia population density is 19.0 people per km² (World Bank, latest available)
- Saudi Arabia land area excluding inland waters is 2,149,690 km² (World Bank)
Saudi Arabia grew to about 35.1 million people by 2024, with rapid urbanization and improving health outcomes.
Related reading
01 · Category
Population Size4 stats
01
Saudi Arabia’s population was 28.5 million in 2007 (World Bank)
02
36.6 million people in Saudi Arabia in 2021
03
Saudi Arabia had 36.0 million people in 2023
04
Saudi Arabia’s population was 35.1 million in 2024 (IMF estimate)
Interpretation
Population Size Interpretation
Under the Population Size category, Saudi Arabia’s population has grown from 28.5 million in 2007 to about 35.1 million in 2024, reflecting a steady rise alongside estimates in the mid to high 30 millions around 2021 and 2023.
02 · Category
Mortality & Longevity4 stats
01
60.7 years average life expectancy at birth in Saudi Arabia (2024)
02
Saudi Arabia’s maternal mortality ratio was 29 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020
03
Saudi Arabia’s neonatal mortality rate was 8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2020
04
Saudi Arabia’s under-5 mortality rate was 12 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022
Interpretation
Mortality & Longevity Interpretation
Saudi Arabia shows solid progress on mortality and longevity, with average life expectancy reaching 60.7 years in 2024 while child deaths remain relatively low at 12 per 1,000 under age 5 in 2022 and 8 per 1,000 for neonates in 2020.
03 · Category
Urbanization3 stats
01
83.3% of the population living in urban areas in Saudi Arabia in 2010
02
34,801,000 people living in urban areas in Saudi Arabia in 2023
03
Urban population count in Saudi Arabia was 29,000,000 in 2010
Interpretation
Urbanization Interpretation
Saudi Arabia’s urbanization has been strong and steadily growing, with 83.3% of people living in cities in 2010 and the urban population rising from about 29,000,000 that year to 34,801,000 in 2023.
More related reading
04 · Category
Fertility & Migration3 stats
01
Saudi Arabia’s total fertility rate was 2.8 births per woman in 2010
02
Saudi Arabia net migration rate is 4.5 migrants per 1,000 population in 2023 (World Bank)
03
Saudi Arabia’s foreign-born population share is 36.9% in 2020 (UN DESA)
Interpretation
Fertility & Migration Interpretation
In the Fertility and Migration lens, Saudi Arabia’s total fertility rate of 2.8 births per woman in 2010 alongside a high net migration rate of 4.5 migrants per 1,000 people in 2023 and a foreign-born share of 36.9% in 2020 suggests population growth is being strongly shaped by migration as well as birth rates.
05 · Category
Births & Fertility3 stats
01
Saudi Arabia’s birth rate was 20.0 births per 1,000 population in 2023
02
Saudi Arabia’s contraceptive prevalence rate was 64.0% among married women in 2018
03
Saudi Arabia’s adolescent birth rate (ages 15–19) was 10.3 births per 1,000 girls in 2022
Interpretation
Births & Fertility Interpretation
Within the Births and Fertility category, Saudi Arabia shows a moderate fertility level with a 20.0 births per 1,000 population birth rate in 2023, alongside relatively high contraceptive use at 64.0% among married women in 2018 and an adolescent birth rate of 10.3 births per 1,000 girls in 2022.
06 · Category
Industry Overview8 stats
01
Saudi Arabia’s crude death rate was 3.3 deaths per 1,000 population in 2023
02
Saudi Arabia’s infant mortality rate is 8.5 deaths per 1,000 live births (World Bank, 2023)
03
Saudi Arabia population density is 19.0 people per km² (World Bank, latest available)
04
Saudi Arabia land area excluding inland waters is 2,149,690 km² (World Bank)
05
3.1% population growth rate in Saudi Arabia in 2015
06
Saudi Arabia old-age dependency ratio is 8.6 dependents per 100 working-age people (World Bank/UNICEF-style dependency ratio series)
07
5.1% of Saudi Arabia’s population is projected to be aged 65+ in 2040 (projection)
08
Saudi Arabia had 3.7 million refugees and other persons of concern in 2022
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
Saudi Arabia’s Industry Overview is shaped by demographic pressure indicators including a low crude death rate of 3.3 deaths per 1,000 people in 2023 and an old-age dependency ratio of 8.6 dependents per 100 working-age people, suggesting a workforce-supported structure even as the country remains challenged by a moderate infant mortality rate of 8.5 per 1,000 live births and a very low population density of 19 people per km².
report visual · Projection
Saudi Arabia Population Over Time
Population has risen substantially from the late 2000s to the mid-2020s.
28.5 People
Start
+1.23%
CAGR · 17y
35.1 People
Projected
20072024
source-verifieddata.worldbank.org · worldometers.info · unfpa.org · imf.org2024
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Margot Villeneuve. (2026, February 13). Saudi Arabia Population Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-population-statistics
MLA
Margot Villeneuve. "Saudi Arabia Population Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-population-statistics.
Chicago
Margot Villeneuve. 2026. "Saudi Arabia Population Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-population-statistics.
Sources & references
25 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+14 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)