Where Do Most People in Saudi Arabia Live?

84% of Saudi Arabia's population lives in urban areas (World Bank, 2020).

Major Population Centers

• Riyadh Metropolitan Area: ~7.5 million (capital region)
• Jeddah: ~4.7 million (Red Sea port, commercial hub)
• Mecca: ~2.4 million (holy city, Hajj/Umrah pilgrimage)
• Medina: ~1.5 million (second holy city)
• Dammam/Khobar/Dhahran: ~1.3 million (Eastern Province oil hub)

Urbanization has accelerated since the 1970s oil boom, drawing people from rural and nomadic lifestyles.