Riyadh Population

The Middle East with its raging deserts and barren landscape has for centuries captivated people by its sheer force of nature. Amidst the Arabian Peninsula, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia brings to our minds tales of valor and adventure. Riyadh, the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia offers an idyllic retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life to a colorful culture ruled by traditions. A Riyadh overview will be useful for knowing the various aspects of the capital from Riyadh climate to Riyadh tourism. Riyadh population comprises 20% of the nation's population, and is still steadily growing.

Riyadh population has increased from 7500 in 1862 to 2,800,000 in 1997. The estimated population rise put the figure at 5,000,001 in 2007 and up to 8,900,000 in 2020. Between 1974 and 1992 the population of Riyadh grew by an average of 8.2% per year. In 2005 Riyadh was speculated to be the first mega city of the region with the population then being over 4.26 million. According to the High Commission for the Development of Ar Riyadh (HCDA), expatriates numbered 1.46 million in 2005, representing 345 of the Riyadh population, as against the 2.8 million Saudis. The report also showed a 635 of the expatriates were males, whereas Saudi male population accounted for 535 of the capital's indigenous population. Some also claimed the population growth rate of the city as one of the highest in the world.

Total population of the country of Saudi Arabia is approximately 24 million of which 10 million are foreign workers. The foreign population features 2 million Yemenites, 1.5 million Indians, 1 million Bangladeshis, nearly 900,000 Pakistanis, 800,000 Egyptians, 800,000 Filipinos, 250,000 Palestinians, 150,000 Lebanese, 130,000 Sri Lankans, 40,000 Eritreans, and 36,000 Americans.

Once a small walled city, Riyadh has developed into a dynamic metropolis over the years. With the first major thrust coming during the oil boom of 1950s and older structures beginning to get demolished to make way for commercial development, Riyadh population also began to increase by leaps and bounds. The rapid need for labor also drew people from the neighboring countries and all over Asia. A capital of the Saudi rule, the discovery of immense petroleum deposits catapulted the provincial city to a showplace of sophisticated technology, modern architecture, and highways. It had its effects on the population at Riyadh and the capital is presently one of the fastest growing and most prosperous cities in the world.

A vacation to Riyadh brings you to one of the most exotic places on the face of the world, offering an ideal vacation spot.