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Population Review

Rank #162 by World Population

🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has a population of 33,702,731, ranking #162 in the world. The capital is Riyadh. Located in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan.

World Bank: High income

33,702,731

Population

#162

World Rank

78.7

Life Expectancy

$36,157

GDP Per Capita

Saudi Arabia, #162 by world population

Saudi Arabia Population History (1960-2024)

The country of Saudi Arabia had a population of 2,435,403 in 1960 and 35,300,280 in 2024, a 14× growth over 64 years. The peak was 35,300,280 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 4.28%.

2024 · 35M19602024
Saudi Arabia population, 1960–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

35,300,280

Population (2024)

2,435,403

Population (1960)

35,300,280

Peak (2024)

4.28%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
19602,435,403
19612,526,347
19622,620,910
19632,719,341
19642,821,968
19652,928,771
19663,039,887
19673,157,242
19683,282,711
19693,417,114
19703,562,470
19713,724,031
19723,905,722
19734,106,344
19744,323,632
19754,556,287
19764,807,933
19775,083,048
19785,381,902
19795,703,698
19806,047,997
19816,420,551
19826,824,486
19837,252,941
19847,697,307
19858,151,779
19868,628,639
19879,130,194
19889,629,165
198910,128,394
199010,640,691
199111,160,744
199211,686,676
199312,215,862
199412,750,040
199513,289,245
199613,831,009
199714,374,943
199814,922,185
199915,472,075
200016,177,722
200117,041,397
200217,910,910
200318,786,767
200419,669,480
200520,559,890
200621,459,144
200722,368,313
200823,287,877
200924,217,654
201023,978,487
201125,091,867
201226,168,861
201327,624,004
201428,309,273
201529,816,382
201630,954,198
201730,977,355
201830,196,281
201930,063,799
202031,552,510
202130,784,383
202232,175,224
202333,702,731
202435,300,280

Demographics

Population33,702,731
Population Growth Rate4.64%
Urban Population84.3%
Fertility Rate2.28 births/woman
Life Expectancy78.7 years
Infant Mortality Rate4.8 per 1,000
Literacy Rate97.6%

Economy & Trade

$36,157

GDP Per Capita

4.0%

Unemployment Rate

High income

Income Level

54.2%

Trade (% of GDP)

Health & Education

5.7%

Health Expenditure (% GDP)

3.41

Physicians per 1,000

4.5%

Education Expenditure (% GDP)

97.6%

Literacy Rate

4.8

Infant Mortality (per 1,000)

Development & Connectivity

100.0%

Electricity Access

100.0%

Internet Users

145

Mobile Subs per 100

15.7

People per km2

325,691

Net Migration

Environment

0.5%

Forest Area

Saudi Arabia Climate

Saudi Arabia has an average annual temperature of 26.1°C (79°F) and receives about 123 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is August and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.

26.1°C

Avg Temp

123

Precip (mm/yr)

Aug

Hottest Month

Jan

Coldest Month

5°15°25°35°45°37mmJFMAMJJASOND
— Avg temp (°C)▮ Precipitation (mm)
Saudi Arabia — monthly temperature & precipitation (1970–2000 normals) · Source: WorldClim 2.1
MonthAvg (°C/°F)Precip
January14° / 58°13 mm
February17° / 62°7 mm
March20° / 69°37 mm
April26° / 79°32 mm
May32° / 90°11 mm
June34° / 94°0 mm
July36° / 96°0 mm
August36° / 96°1 mm
September33° / 91°0 mm
October28° / 82°2 mm
November21° / 70°7 mm
December16° / 61°13 mm

1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.

Best time to visit Saudi Arabia

The most comfortable months to visit Saudi Arabia are typically November, March and February, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is August (around 42°C high). The coldest is January (near 9°C low). March is usually the wettest month.

NovemberMarchFebruary

Where to stay near Riyadh

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Other Countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan

AfghanistanAlgeriaBahrainDjiboutiEgypt, Arab Rep.

Compare Saudi Arabia

vs United Arab Emirates

Saudi Arabia in global context

Saudi Arabia is one of 212 countries tracked. See how it ranks globally, regional shares of world population, and projections to 2050 / 2100.

World Population 2026: Top 10 Countries, Regions & Trends →

Other related entities

Afghanistan (41,454,761)Algeria (46,164,219)Bahrain (1,577,059)Djibouti (1,152,944)Egypt, Arab Rep. (114,535,772)All countries →

Country rankings

Populated Countries in the WorldCountries With Highest GDP Per CapitaCountries With Highest Life ExpectancyCountries With Highest Fertility RatesCountries With Highest Literacy RatesUrbanized Countries in the WorldFastest Growing Countries by PopulationCountries With Highest Infant MortalityCountries With Highest Income InequalityCountries With Most International TourismAll rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Saudi Arabia has a population of 33,702,731, ranking #162 in the world. The annual population growth rate is 4.64%.

Life expectancy in Saudi Arabia is 78.7 years. The infant mortality rate is 4.8 per 1,000 live births.

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $36,157. It is classified as a high income country by the World Bank.

84.3% of Saudi Arabia's population lives in urban areas. The overall population density is 15.7 people per square kilometer.

The adult literacy rate in Saudi Arabia is 97.6%. The country spends 4.5% of GDP on education.

The most comfortable months to visit Saudi Arabia are typically November, March and February, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low, based on 1970–2000 climate normals.

Saudi Arabia has an average annual temperature of 26.1°C and about 123 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is typically August and the coldest is January.

Sources: World Bank Open Data

International data from the World Bank Open Data API. Population figures are latest available estimates. GDP per capita in current US dollars.

Saudi Arabia is a country in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with a population of 33,702,731. Its population is growing quickly, by about 4.6% a year.

Saudi Arabia is a high-income economy, with GDP per capita of about $36,157. Life expectancy is high at 78.7 years, with a fertility rate of 2.3 births per woman, and 84.3% of the population lives in urban areas.

Source: World Bank Open Data, 2026.