Regions of Saudi Arabia: population and official figures
Saudi Arabia is divided into 13 regions. The largest by population is Riyadh Region with 8,591,748 people (26.7% of the total); the smallest is Al Baha Region with 339,174. Saudi Arabia is divided into 13 administrative regions. Population is the 2022 census. Jobs figures are from the fourth-quarter 2024 Labour Force Survey, income and spending from the 2023 household survey, and health from the Ministry of Health Statistical Yearbook 2024.
Who governs Saudi Arabia's regions?
Regions (emirates/provinces, 13): Emir (a royal family member) appointed by royal order at ministerial rank; regional council of officials plus at least ten appointed citizens. Security, development planning and oversight of ministries in the region, under the 1992 Law of the Provinces.
How local power works in Saudi Arabia · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 13 regions, largest first
| # | Region | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riyadh Region | 8,591,748 | 2022 | – |
| 2 | Makkah Region | 8,021,463 | 2022 | – |
| 3 | Eastern Province | 5,125,254 | 2022 | – |
| 4 | Madinah Region | 2,137,983 | 2022 | – |
| 5 | Asir Region | 2,024,285 | 2022 | – |
| 6 | Jazan Region | 1,404,997 | 2022 | – |
| 7 | Qassim Region | 1,336,179 | 2022 | – |
| 8 | Tabuk Region | 886,036 | 2022 | – |
| 9 | Hail Region | 746,406 | 2022 | – |
| 10 | Al Jouf Region | 595,822 | 2022 | – |
| 11 | Najran Region | 592,300 | 2022 | – |
| 12 | Northern Borders Region | 373,577 | 2022 | – |
| 13 | Al Baha Region | 339,174 | 2022 | – |
Cities: the largest cities of Saudi Arabia.
More on Saudi Arabia: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- Ministry of Health: Statistical Yearbook 2024, Table 1-5: population by administrative region based on the 2022 census (data from the General Authority for Statistics), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 959a27fbe4a7…)
- General Authority for Statistics: Labor Market Statistics, fourth quarter 2024: Tables 2-4, 4-4 and 5-4 (unemployment, employment and participation by administrative region, Labour Force Survey), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 03c856c15b2f…)
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