Quick facts
Saudi Arabia population overview
Saudi Arabia is the 19th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 34,869,196 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.7% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 1,613 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 561,394 births (16.1 per 1,000 people) and 80,199 deaths (2.3 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 108,095 people. The infant mortality rate is 5.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 2,435,403 in 1960 to 36,973,555 in 2025 — a change of +1,418.2%, or +4.3% per year on average. It peaked at 36,973,555 in 2025 and has declined 4.4% since.
Demographically, the median age is 29.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 79.4 years; women have on average 2.3 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 23.6% of residents are under 15 and 3.1% are 65 or older (2025); 84.6% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Riyadh. Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km², giving a population density of about 16.4 people per km². GDP was $1.28T in 2025 — about $34,537 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Saudi Arabia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 35,339,139 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 34,869,196 |
| World rank | #47 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #19 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.4% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.7% |
| Births per year est. | 561,394 |
| Deaths per year est. | 80,199 |
| Net migration per year est. | +108,095 |
| Birth rate | 16.1 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 2.3 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 5.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 152 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 29.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 79.4 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.3 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 84.6% |
| Surface area 2023 | 2,149,690 km² |
| Population density | 16.4 per km² |
| Capital | Riyadh |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $1.28T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $34,537 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Saudi Arabia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 35,339,139 | – | – |
| 2025 | 36,973,555 | +1,673,275 | +4.7% |
| 2024 | 35,300,280 | +1,597,549 | +4.7% |
| 2023 | 33,702,731 | +1,527,507 | +4.7% |
| 2022 | 32,175,224 | +1,390,841 | +4.5% |
| 2021 | 30,784,383 | -768,127 | -2.4% |
| 2020 | 31,552,510 | +1,736,128 | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 29,816,382 | +5,837,895 | +4.5% |
| 2010 | 23,978,487 | +3,418,597 | +3.1% |
| 2005 | 20,559,890 | +4,382,168 | +4.9% |
| 2000 | 16,177,722 | +2,888,477 | +4% |
| 1995 | 13,289,245 | +2,648,554 | +4.5% |
| 1990 | 10,640,691 | +2,488,912 | +5.5% |
| 1985 | 8,151,779 | +2,103,782 | +6.2% |
| 1980 | 6,047,997 | +1,491,710 | +5.8% |
| 1975 | 4,556,287 | +993,817 | +5% |
| 1970 | 3,562,470 | +633,699 | +4% |
| 1965 | 2,928,771 | +493,368 | +3.8% |
| 1960 | 2,435,403 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Saudi Arabia
Population over time
- From 2,435,403 in 1960 to 35,339,139 today — up 1,351.1%.
- Population peaked at 36,973,555 in 2025 and is down 4.4% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.2% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 79 years (2024), up 33.7 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.3 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 16.5 births vs 2.3 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 14.2 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 23.6% of the population is under 15 and 3.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 3.3% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 652.5 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 18.48 t in 2024, vs 14.6 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 7,148.6 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 31.1% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 0.1% of final energy in 2021 (+0.1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 0.5% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 84.6% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 31.4% in 1960 (+53.2 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1971.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: critical — freshwater withdrawals are 974.2% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 75 m³ in 2022, down 92.1% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $1.28T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 84.2% since 2015.
- That works out to $34,537 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.1% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 100% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 159.5 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Saudi Arabia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Saudi Arabia in 2026?
As of October 2026, Saudi Arabia has an estimated population of 35,339,139. The United Nations estimated 34,869,196 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Saudi Arabia growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.7% per year — roughly 1,613 more people every day. Each year there are about 561,394 births and 80,199 deaths, with net migration of +108,095.
What is the population density of Saudi Arabia?
About 16.4 people per square kilometre: 35,339,139 people living on 2,149,690 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Saudi Arabia?
The median age is 29.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 79.4 years. 23.6% of the population is under 15 and 3.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Saudi Arabia rank by population?
Saudi Arabia is the 47th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 19th in Asia, with 0.4% of the global population.
How has the population of Saudi Arabia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 2,435,403; by 2025 it had grown to 36,973,555 (+1,418.2%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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MalaysiaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.