Share of population living in cities in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Share of population living in cities was 65.1% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities in Saudi Arabia, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in cities in Saudi Arabia is 65.1%, measured in 2020. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
That represents a change of up 8.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities in Saudi Arabia peaked at 65.1% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1950.
Saudi Arabia ranks 24th of 236 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in cities in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 0.0% | — |
| 1955 | 2.7% | — |
| 1960 | 4.8% | +74.8% |
| 1965 | 7.2% | +50.0% |
| 1970 | 10.5% | +46.6% |
| 1975 | 14.7% | +39.8% |
| 1980 | 20.4% | +38.9% |
| 1985 | 30.4% | +49.1% |
| 1990 | 42.3% | +39.2% |
| 1995 | 47.4% | +12.2% |
| 2000 | 51.1% | +7.8% |
| 2005 | 58.3% | +14.0% |
| 2010 | 60.2% | +3.3% |
| 2015 | 63.8% | +6.1% |
| 2020 | 65.1% | +2.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 1.4% | 0.0% | 2.7% | 2 |
| 1960s | 6.0% | 4.8% | 7.2% | 2 |
| 1970s | 12.6% | 10.5% | 14.7% | 2 |
| 1980s | 25.4% | 20.4% | 30.4% | 2 |
| 1990s | 44.8% | 42.3% | 47.4% | 2 |
| 2000s | 54.7% | 51.1% | 58.3% | 2 |
| 2010s | 62.0% | 60.2% | 63.8% | 2 |
| 2020s | 65.1% | 65.1% | 65.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More population data for Saudi Arabia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.6339 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.5774 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.6339 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1019 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 48,374 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.2 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.5868 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.6% (2100)
- Population density 33.03 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 4.10 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities in Saudi Arabia?
- Share of population living in cities in Saudi Arabia was 65.1% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in cities recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 65.1% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1950.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for share of population living in cities?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 24th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in cities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in cities. Cities are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.