Gulf Labour Markets, Migration, and Population (GLMM) Programme

An international independent, non-partisan, non-profit programme hosted and supported by the Gulf Research Center. The programme provides data, analyses, and recommendations contributing to the improvement of understanding and management of Gulf labour migration, population, and labour markets, engaging with and respecting the viewpoints of all stakeholders.
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Saudi Arabia: Population by nationality (Saudi/non-Saudi) (2010-2024)

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Saudis Non-Saudis Total
2010 14,046,164 9,932,323 23,978,487
2011 14,342,129 10,749,738 25,091,867
2012 14,683,546 11,485,315 26,168,861
2013 15,079,401 12,544,603 27,624,004
2014 15,535,036 12,774,237 28,309,273
2015 15,968,071 13,848,311 29,816,382
2016 16,355,312 14,598,886 30,954,198
2017 16,696,980 14,280,375 30,977,355
2018 17,085,636 13,110,645 30,196,281
2019 17,507,171 12,556,628 30,063,799
2020 17,978,587 13,573,923 31,552,510
2021 18,380,669 12,403,714 30,784,383
2022 18,792,262 13,382,962 32,175,224
2023 19,245,929 14,456,802 33,702,731
2024 19,635,258 15,665,022 35,300,280

Source: GAStat

ANNEXED NOTE

1. Technical Notes and Definitions

2023-2024: The methodology involves estimating the population for each age group, as well as gender and nationality, following international standards and practices. The General Authority for Statistics uses the (Method Component-Cohort) approach, leveraging data from various sources, including the National Information Center for administrative records to provide key components such as births, deaths, and migration. Changes in the demographic characteristics for 2024 are assessed against the previous population report from the Authority, using data from the 2022 Saudi Census.
https://www.stats.gov.sa/documents/20117/2435273/Population+Estimates+Statistics+2024+EN.pdf/9b71e303-5fd9-19cb-9913-850a9d521639?t=1738859947691

Methodological report:
https://www.stats.gov.sa/documents/20117/2435133/Methodology+and+Quality+Report+for+Population+Projections+and+Estimates+Statistics+_EN.pdf/0fdb394f-8a13-82e0-ed7c-c240b338d25f?t=1738829096975

2010-2022: Source: Saudi census 2022
Date of reference: 10 May 2022
Population of reference: Families and individual citizens and residents within the Kingdom, regardless of the status of their identification documents.
Visitors for Hajj, Umrah and tourism are excluded from the census.

Methodology:
The first phase of the 2020 census began on 3 February 2020 (enumeration of buildings and households). Census 2022 used geospatial data, including satellite images, electricity consumption and mobile phone data, to improve the accuracy and geographic coverage of address canvassing. The 2022 census used a combined methodology – administrative records, fieldwork and digital self-enumeration.
Household data were collected from e-portals of self-enumeration (on residents’ mobile devices, laptops or personal computers, or self-enumeration stations/kiosks, located in shopping centers).
The digital self-enumeration process was complemented by face-to-face interviews, using digital tablets.
Census 2022 used a de jure approach: enumerating people according to their usual place of residence.
Administrative data from multiple sources was used to cross-validate collected census data.
Census 2022 was designed as a launchpad for several new secure statistical data registers for population, housing, and businesses.

See census methodology in: 
https://portal.saudicensus.sa/portal/public/methodology
Portal of the Saudi census:
https://portal.saudicensus.sa/portal

Population data for 2010-22 were revised and backcasted, based on 2022 population census and past years’ administrative data. 

2. Institution which provides data 

General Authority for Statistics (GAStat)

3. Data availability 

2010-2022: retrieved from the Saudi census section on GAStat website:
https://portal.saudicensus.sa/portal

Accessible from the “Statistics” section, then “Social Statistics”, “Vitals and Demographics Statistics”, Saudi census statistics 2022
https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/statistics?index=119025&subindex=127380#
“Population statistics” section, then “Population growth statistics”
https://portal.saudicensus.sa/portal/public/1/15?type=TABLE
Selected, pre-set tables can be downloaded from the thematic section.

2023-2024: “Statistics”, “Social Statistics”, “Vitals and Demographics Statistics”, “population estimates statistics”.
https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/statistics-tabs?tab=436312&category=2366987

Last date of access: 10 March 2025.

GLMM and GRC cannot guarantee that the link to access the source will not change; 
that the information will not be removed from the website it was obtained from;
that no geo-blockages will be imposed; or that the information will not be available for any another reason.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia, Foreign Population, National Population, Foreign & National Populations

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