year	Saudis	Non-Saudis	Total
1974	6,163,805	774,397	6,938,202
1975	6,429,179	857,831	7,287,010
1976	6,703,441	949,911	7,653,352
1977	6,986,636	1,051,478	8,038,114
1978	7,278,777	1,163,442	8,442,219
1979	7,579,846	1,286,793	8,866,639
1980	7,889,794	1,422,602	9,312,396
1981	8,208,534	1,572,028	9,780,562
1982	8,535,941	1,736,324	10,272,265
1983	8,871,851	1,916,839	10,788,690
1984	9,216,049	2,115,025	11,331,074
1985	9,568,281	2,332,446	11,900,727
1986	9,928,242	2,570,776	12,499,018
1987	10,295,578	2,831,810	13,127,388
1988	10,669,880	3,117,467	13,787,347
1989	11,050,692	3,429,794	14,480,486
1990	11,437,500	3,770,971	15,208,471
1991	11,829,739	4,143,316	15,973,055
1992	12,218,200	4,540,179	16,758,379
1993	12,551,696	4,725,476	17,277,172
1994	12,863,710	4,837,899	17,701,609
1995	13,183,469	4,953,006	18,136,475
1996	13,511,162	5,070,860	18,582,022
1997	13,846,988	5,191,528	19,038,516
1998	14,191,149	5,315,076	19,506,225
1999	14,543,849	5,441,575	19,985,424
2000	14,905,300	5,571,093	20,476,393
2001	15,275,721	5,703,704	20,979,425
2002	15,655,332	5,839,481	21,494,813
2003	16,044,362	5,978,502	22,022,864
2004	16,443,987	6,119,899	22,563,886
2005	16,854,157	6,475,427	23,329,584
2006	17,270,181	6,851,709	24,121,890
2007	17,691,336	7,249,962	24,941,298
2008	18,115,550	7,671,475	25,787,025
2009	18,543,246	8,117,611	26,660,857
2010*	18,973,615	8,589,817	27,563,432
2011**	19,405,685	8,970,670	28,376,355
2012**	19,838,448	9,357,447	29,195,895
2013**	20,271,058	9,723,214	29,994,272

Source: Population estimates based on the results of population censuses (1974; 1992; 2004; 2010 preliminary results), Central Department for Statistics and Information (CDSI)

* preliminary results

** estimates from census 2010′ preliminary figures

 

ANNEXED NOTE

 

1. Technical Notes and Definitions

 

Reference periods: middle of given years

Population of reference: all individuals (nationals and non-nationals) present within the Kingdom’s borders during time of reference, be they permanent or temporary residents.

Implementation method: the Censuses are carried out according to de facto methodology, i.e. counting persons where they are during time of reference, be they usual residents of the place or temporary residents.

Estimates are based upon censuses’ results.

The first Saudi census was launched in 1962. It is usually not used, as it did not cover the whole of the resident population. 1974 census is the first comprehensive one in Saudi history. However, its rate of coverage and accuracy of data are considered weak.

1992 census’ population figures, along with ensuing estimates of Saudi population and rates of demographic growth for the following years, were shown to be inflated (see Winckler, O. “The Surprising Results of the Saudi Arabian 2004 Demographic Census”, IJMES, n°40, 2008, pp. 12-15).

Between 2004 and 2010 censuses, Saudi population figures seem consistent with natural increase figures. As non-national population is concerned, it is probably underestimated in official counts. Irregular workers and sojourners are also many (non-official, hence unverifiable estimates range between 1 and 2 millions).

Regarding mid-year estimates, it has to be noted that after each census CDSI has readjusted past figures for Saudi and non-Saudi populations, intercensal data as well as data for census years. Therefore, present data differ significantly from available census figures.

 

2. Institution which provides data

 

Central Department of Statistics and Information (CDSI), Ministry and Economy and Planning

 

3. Data availability

 

Parts of censuses conducted in 1992 and 2004 are available on the website of the CDSI, in published form in PDF format.

https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/13

https://www.stats.gov.sa/ar/13

For 1992 all published data is broken down by nationality (Saudi/non-Saudi). For 2004, only the data on sex and administrative regions and sub-regions of residence is broken down by nationality (Saudi/ Non-Saudi).

As of November 25th, 2013, only preliminary results of 2010′ census have been published: total population by sex and nationality (Saudi/ non-Saudi), as well as total population by nationality, sex, and administrative region (governorate) of residence.

 

CDSI’s mid-year estimates of population by nationality (Saudi / non-Saudi) are only available in Saudi Arabia Monetary Agency (SAMA) Annual Reports, available online.

Data presented here are taken from SAMA Annual Report n°48 (2013), p. 361 (estimates for 1974-2012) and from https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/indicators  (2013 estimates).

Date of access: November 25th, 2013.

 

 

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