MigrantoImmigrants in Saudi Arabia
13.4M foreign-born residents — the #3 largest immigrant population in the world
Where immigrants come from
The top 3 countries account for 47% of all immigrants
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 2362680 |
| Yemen | 1999619 |
| India | 1953496 |
| Pakistan | 1937044 |
| Egypt | 1498313 |
| Sudan | 895646 |
| Philippines | 755432 |
| Syria | 496044 |
| Nepal | 297561 |
| Jordan | 209093 |
| Ethiopia | 180746 |
| Indonesia | 169846 |
| Myanmar | 163252 |
| Afghanistan | 153258 |
| Palestine | 131779 |
| Sri Lanka | 83297 |
| Lebanon | 52864 |
| Somalia | 48099 |
| Iraq | 6510 |
By region of origin
Asia is the leading region of origin at 59%
7.9M
2.9M
2.6M
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Interesting facts
Notable statistics about immigration in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is a primary destination for emigrants from Yemen
Saudi Arabia attracts 81% of all emigrants from Yemen, making it the leading destination for those leaving the country.
Immigration is a key driver of population growth
38% of the population growth of Saudi Arabia since 1990 came from new immigrants, reflecting immigration's central demographic role.
A significant share of residents were born abroad
1 in 3 residents of Saudi Arabia is foreign-born — 13.4M out of 35.3M, representing 37.9% of the population.
How immigration changed over time
Total immigrant population by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 4020956 |
| 1995 | 4562988 |
| 2000 | 4832408 |
| 2005 | 6194534 |
| 2010 | 8289904 |
| 2015 | 12570739 |
| 2020 | 12579763 |
| 2024 | 13394579 |
Top sources over time
Immigration from the 5 largest source countries
| Year | Bangladesh | Yemen | India | Pakistan | Egypt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 244707 | 238364 | 834742 | 488673 | 842428 |
| 1995 | 335423 | 321876 | 922696 | 585250 | 901867 |
| 2000 | 351570 | 342915 | 969679 | 614620 | 957366 |
| 2005 | 481958 | 458347 | 1202498 | 790642 | 1153829 |
| 2010 | 993917 | 896775 | 1515540 | 1195820 | 1317642 |
| 2015 | 2080864 | 1779422 | 1920159 | 1824586 | 1509854 |
| 2020 | 2120004 | 1809639 | 1888090 | 1818172 | 1475593 |
| 2024 | 2362680 | 1999619 | 1953496 | 1937044 | 1498313 |
Fastest-changing origins
How immigration from each country has changed since the selected year
Saudi Arabia as a destination, by diaspora
Share of each country's emigrants who settled in Saudi Arabia
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many immigrants live in Saudi Arabia?
Around 13.4M foreign-born residents live in Saudi Arabia, making it the #3-largest immigrant population in the world.
Where do most immigrants in Saudi Arabia come from?
Most immigrants in Saudi Arabia come from Bangladesh, Yemen and India — these three countries account for about 47% of all foreign-born residents.
What share of the population of Saudi Arabia are immigrants?
Immigrants make up around 38% of the population of Saudi Arabia — that's 13.4M out of a total population of 35.3M.
How has immigration to Saudi Arabia changed over the past decade?
Over the past decade, the immigrant population in Saudi Arabia has grown from 12.6M to 13.4M people, a growth of about 7%.
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