Saudi Arabia: housing

Are house prices rising in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia's Real Estate Price Index rose 1.3% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Residential prices rose 2.6%, led by residential land (6.3%), while villa prices fell 9.7%. Apartment prices rose 1.1%. Commercial property prices fell 3.2%. Compared with the first quarter, the index rose 3.0%.

The index is based on recorded property transactions and is calculated with the Real Estate General Authority, the Ministry of Justice and the Saudi Central Bank. Its base year is 2023.

Official sources: GASTAT: Real Estate Price Index, Q2 2026

How fast are property prices rising in Riyadh?

Real estate prices in Riyadh Region rose 4.2% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Makkah Region, which includes Jeddah, recorded 0.4%. The fastest rises were in Al-Jawf (10.4%) and the Northern Borders (4.6%), while prices fell 10.1% in Hail and 5.4% in Qassim. The national index rose 1.3%.

Regional figures cover all property types, including residential and commercial land, buildings and agricultural plots. The Real Estate General Authority regulates the market and runs the Ejar rental platform.

Official sources: GASTAT: Real Estate Price Index, Q2 2026 · Real Estate General Authority

How fast are rents rising in Saudi Arabia?

Actual rents for housing in Saudi Arabia were 3.9% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Rents rose 0.2% from July. The housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels division also rose 3.9% and was the largest contributor to overall inflation of 1.8%, adding 0.8 percentage points.

Actual rents measure what tenants pay; the index does not include house purchase prices. Residential leases are registered on the Ejar platform of the Real Estate General Authority.

Official sources: GASTAT: Consumer Price Index, August 2026 · Real Estate General Authority

How many homes do Saudi households live in?

Saudi households occupied 4.5 million dwellings in 2025, up 118,000 or 2.7% from 2024, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), using the Population Characteristics Survey. These were 50.3% of all occupied dwellings in the Kingdom; the rest are occupied by non-Saudi households. Riyadh Region had 24.0% of the dwellings occupied by Saudi households, and Makkah Region 23.8%.

The average Saudi household had 4.8 members. 28.3% of Saudi households had four or five members and 27.9% had six or more. 92.2% of their dwellings are built of reinforced concrete.

Official sources: GASTAT: Housing Statistics Publication 2025

Do Saudis live in villas or apartments?

Apartments made up 46.8% of dwellings occupied by Saudi households in 2025 and villas 29.5%, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Housing Statistics Publication 2025. Measured by people rather than homes, 40.0% of members of Saudi households lived in villas and 37.3% in apartments.

The figures come from the Population Characteristics Survey and cover only Saudi households. Villa prices fell 9.7% in the year to the second quarter of 2026, while apartment prices rose 1.1%, according to the GASTAT Real Estate Price Index.

Official sources: GASTAT: Housing Statistics Publication 2025 · GASTAT: Real Estate Price Index, Q2 2026

What share of Saudi Arabia is urban?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people living in urban areas in Saudi Arabia was 84.6% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 10th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 78.4%. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 32nd highest.

How common are informal settlements in Saudi Arabia?

UN-Habitat puts the share of city dwellers living in slums in Saudi Arabia at 0.6% in 2022. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 10.9%; Saudi Arabia is 14th highest of 19. World rank, highest first: 131st of 170.

How many people in Saudi Arabia have electricity?

The World Bank puts the share of people with access to electricity in Saudi Arabia at 100.0% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 100.0%; Saudi Arabia is 1st highest of 22. Worldwide: 1st of 193.

How many people in Saudi Arabia have a safe toilet?

83.9%: that is the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Saudi Arabia for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2013. It is 7th highest of 17 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 79.8%. World rank, highest first: 43rd of 134.

What share of homes in Saudi Arabia cook with clean fuels?

According to the WHO, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Saudi Arabia was 100.0% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 99.5%; Saudi Arabia is 1st highest of 22. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 1st highest.