According to a recently published census, Saudi Arabia has experienced a population growth of over one third since 2010, with a majority of its citizens being under the age of 30. The 2022 Saudi census is considered the most comprehensive and accurate population survey ever conducted in the country, as stated by the General Authority of Statistics.
The census reveals that the total population of the Kingdom is 32.2 million, with 58.4 percent being Saudi nationals, while the remaining population mainly consists of individuals from South Asia or other countries in the Middle East and North Africa region.
During a press conference in Riyadh, Economy and Planning Minister Faisal Al-Ibrahim emphasized the significance of the latest census, highlighting its role as a crucial foundation for planning, decision-making, and promoting investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Since 2010, the total resident population has increased by 34.2 percent, totaling 8.2 million people, out of which 4.8 million are Saudi nationals. Among the Saudi population, approximately 63 percent are below the age of 30.
The non-Saudi national population stands at 13.4 million, with the majority originating from Bangladesh, followed by India, Pakistan, Yemen, and Egypt.
Originally scheduled for 2020, the national census, which is the fifth in the country’s history, was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Saudi Arabia conducted its first official census in 1974.
