Population of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has a population of approximately 36 million people, comprising roughly 22 million Saudi nationals and 14 million foreign residents. The Kingdom has one of the youngest demographic profiles among G20 nations, with approximately 63 percent of the population under the age of 35. This youthful demographic represents both a significant economic opportunity and a core strategic driver behind Vision 2030.

Demographic Breakdown

Saudi nationals make up approximately 60 percent of the total population, with expatriates accounting for the remaining 40 percent. The expatriate population is predominantly male, reflecting the labour market structure in construction, services, and industrial sectors. Key expatriate nationalities include Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Filipino, Yemeni, and Indonesian communities.

The Saudi national population has a more balanced gender ratio of approximately 50.5 percent male to 49.5 percent female. The median age of Saudi nationals is approximately 28 years, making it one of the youngest national populations in the G20 group.

Youth Bulge

The concentration of the population under 35 is a defining characteristic of Saudi demographics. Approximately 37 percent of the Saudi population is under 15 years old, and the 15 to 34 age cohort accounts for approximately 26 percent. This youth bulge creates substantial demand for education, employment, housing, and entertainment, all of which are central pillars of Vision 2030 planning.

The Kingdom’s universities produce approximately 200,000 graduates annually, creating a growing pool of educated talent. The King Abdullah Scholarship Programme, which sent hundreds of thousands of Saudis to study abroad between 2005 and 2020, has created a generation of internationally educated professionals now entering the workforce.

Urbanization

Saudi Arabia is highly urbanized, with over 84 percent of the population living in urban areas. Riyadh is the largest city with a metropolitan population exceeding 8 million. Jeddah, the commercial gateway and Red Sea port city, has approximately 4.5 million residents. Makkah and Madinah host approximately 2 million and 1.5 million permanent residents respectively, with populations that fluctuate dramatically during Hajj and Umrah seasons.

The Eastern Province cities of Dammam, Khobar, and Dhahran collectively house approximately 2 million people, concentrated around the oil industry and its supporting infrastructure. Emerging cities such as Tabuk, Abha, and Jizan are targeted for growth under regional development programmes.

Population Growth

The total population has grown at approximately 1.5 to 2 percent annually in recent years, though the composition of growth has shifted. Saudi national population growth has slowed to approximately 1.3 percent, reflecting declining birth rates as education levels rise and family planning becomes more prevalent. Expatriate population trends are more variable, responding to economic cycles, labour market policies, and Saudization initiatives.

Vision 2030’s ambitious development agenda is expected to attract additional foreign workers and residents, particularly skilled professionals needed for new industries. The Premium Residency programme aims to draw high-net-worth individuals and their families, while the giga-projects will require significant construction and operational workforces.

Population Targets

Saudi Arabia aims to grow Riyadh’s population to 15 million by 2030, approximately double its current level. This target is driven by the Regional Headquarters programme, which is concentrating multinational corporate activity in the capital, alongside massive infrastructure investments including the Riyadh Metro, King Salman Park, and the Diriyah Gate development.

The NEOM development envisions a resident population of one million by its full buildout phase. Red Sea Global’s tourism developments are expected to create permanent communities of workers and residents. These population targets require sustained investment in housing, transportation, utilities, and social infrastructure.

Labour Force Participation

Total labour force participation is approximately 60 percent. Male participation exceeds 80 percent, while female participation has increased dramatically from approximately 17 percent in 2017 to over 35 percent in 2025, significantly exceeding the initial Vision 2030 target of 30 percent. This increase in female workforce participation represents one of the most significant social and economic shifts in the Kingdom’s modern history.

Saudi national unemployment stands at approximately 7 percent, having declined from 12.3 percent in 2017. Youth unemployment, particularly among Saudi women entering the workforce for the first time, remains higher but has decreased significantly as the private sector has expanded its hiring of nationals.

Implications for Investors

The population profile creates a compelling market opportunity. A young, increasingly educated, digitally connected consumer base drives demand across retail, entertainment, technology, food and beverage, and financial services sectors. Per-capita consumption spending has increased markedly as social reforms have opened new entertainment and lifestyle categories. For businesses entering the Saudi market, the combination of population scale, youth demographics, rising disposable income, and expanding consumer categories creates growth conditions that few comparable markets can match.