Saudi Arabia’s population hits 35 million, largely youth
Saudi Arabia’s population has hit the 35 million mark at the end of the first half of 2020, according to recent data from the General Authority for Statistics (GaStat).
The Kingdom witnessed a growth of 2.3% year-over-year from the 34.22 million figure recorded in 2019.
One of the most prominent aspects of the Saudi Arabian population is that it comprises young groups.
As GaStat data shows, people under 40 reached 24,188,384, constituting 69.1% of the total population in the first half of 2020, a plus of 523,429 individuals compared to the first half of 2019.
Males represent 58% of the population, or around 20.23 million, while females represent 42%, or 14.78 million.
Saudi under 15 years old age witnessed an increase of 166,530 people, bringing their total to 8,556,493 people, compared to 8,389,963 people in 2019.
Saudi Arabia’s population groups between 15 and 34 years old represent young generations in any society. In the Kingdom, those witnessed an increase of 255,501 people in just one year, bringing their number to 11,823,262 people in 2020, about 38% of Saudi Arabia population. Their number in mid-2019 was 11,567,761 individuals.
Saudi Arabia’s Population categories over 40 years old
The report data shows that age groups between 40-59 years old numbered 8,905,708, constituting 25.4% of the total population, as their number increased from 8,674,934 in mid-2019, thus further 230,774 individuals.
Only 5.5% of the Saudi Arabia’s population are aged 60 and above, recording 1,919,322 people. The category witnessed a slight increase between 2019 and 2020 (40,042).
It is noteworthy that the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aims primarily to meet Saudi youth’s needs in the upcoming years through plans and programs launched in all sectors. Some of those programs aim to provide adequate housing and the necessary infrastructure to the increasing demands that come with population growth.
Geographical distribution
GaStat data did not show the geographical distribution of the population. The latest available data indicates that Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, is the biggest city, with a population of 4.21 million, making it the urban centre of the Kingdom.
It is followed by Jeddah (2.87 million residents), Mecca (1.32 million), and Medina (1.3 million). Next come Sultanah (946,697), Dammam (768,602), and Ta’if (530,848).
According to World Population Review, 19 cities in the Kingdom have over 100,000 residents each, and an additional 44 surpass the 10,000 inhabitants milestone.
