Riyadh: population and official figures
What is the population of Riyadh?
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, had 6,924,566 inhabitants (city proper) on 9 May 2022, according to a complete census (usual residents) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Riyadh rank among cities in Saudi Arabia?
Of the 30 cities the UN table lists for Saudi Arabia (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is the largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Riyadh?
Women and girls made up 36.8% of residents (2,548,171 female, 4,376,395 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyWho runs Riyadh?
In Saudi Arabia, cities and towns are run by municipalities: Mayor (head of municipality) appointed; council two-thirds elected, one-third appointed (2014 Municipal Councils Law). Councils monitor and approve plans and budgets; municipalities handle planning, roads, cleaning and markets under the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.
How local power works in Saudi Arabia
Cities of a similar size in Saudi Arabia
- Jiddah 3,712,917
- Makkah 2,385,509
- Al-Madinah 1,411,599
- Ad-Dammam 1,386,166
- Tabuk 594,350
- Buraydah 571,169
- At-Ta'if 563,282
- Khamis Mushayt 535,065
- Ha'il 448,623
- Al-Hufuf 430,105
- Al-Khubar 409,549
- Hafar al-Batin 387,096
Up a level: all cities in Saudi Arabia · Saudi Arabia · government and power
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, technical notes to Table 8, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b0d2d6d8ccd6…)
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