International Migrant Population Statistics in Saudi Arabia (2026)
In 2024, 40.3% of the population in Saudi Arabia were international migrants, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data. Down from 42.2% in 2020 to 40.3% in 2024 (−1.9 percentage points). Saudi Arabia ranks #7 of 23 economies in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan on this measure, and #26 of 216 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 40.3% (2024)
- International Migrant Population in Saudi Arabia as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2020
- −1.9 pp (2024)
- Down from 42.2% in 2020 to 40.3% in 2024 (−1.9 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
- 42.1% (1990)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Down from 42.1% in 1990 to 40.3% in 2024.
- Peak value (2015)
- 44.2% (2015)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 40.3%.
- Rank in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
- #7 of 23 (2024)
- Saudi Arabia ranks 7 of 23 countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #26 of 216 (2024)
- Saudi Arabia ranks 26 of 216 countries with data globally.
- Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan average
- 22.8% (2024)
- Saudi Arabia (40.3%) is above the average of 22.8% across the 23 countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with data.
- Personal remittances, received (current US$) (2024)
- $338.5 million (2024)
- Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
- Internet use in Saudi Arabia (2024)
- 100% (2024)
- 100% of the population in Saudi Arabia used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 35.3 million (2024)
- Saudi Arabia had a population of 35.3 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 1990–2024
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 40.3% | −1.9 pp |
| 2020 | 42.2% | −2.0 pp |
| 2015 | 44.2% | +8.5 pp |
| 2010 | 35.7% | +3.6 pp |
| 2005 | 32.1% | −0.2 pp |
| 2000 | 32.3% | −4.2 pp |
| 1995 | 36.5% | −5.6 pp |
| 1990 | 42.1% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of people in Saudi Arabia were international migrants?
40.3% of the population in Saudi Arabia were international migrants in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
How does Saudi Arabia compare with other countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan?
Saudi Arabia ranks 7 of 23 countries in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan with data, with 40.3% versus a regional average of 22.8% (latest values per country).
Where does Saudi Arabia rank globally on international migrant population?
Saudi Arabia ranks 26 of 216 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank World Development Indicators value for each country.
When did international migrant population in Saudi Arabia peak?
The highest value in the available series was 44.2% in 2015; the latest (2024) value is 40.3%.
How recent is the international migrant population data for Saudi Arabia?
The most recent observation is from 2024. World Bank World Development Indicators data is reported with a lag, so 2024 is the latest available year for Saudi Arabia.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator
SM.POP.TOTL.ZS, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .