What is the population of Riyadh?
Riyadh's metropolitan area has about 7,676,654 people, making it the 48th largest metro area in our dataset of 140 major cities.
In Saudi Arabia · Also known as The Gardens, Capital of Saudi Arabia
Metro population
7,676,654
0.092% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+1.89%
About 398 people a day
Archive estimateDensity
2,464/km²
3,115 km² metro area
City proper
4,205,961
Within the administrative boundary
GeoNamesAbout Riyadh
Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, with over 7 million residents. Located in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, Riyadh has transformed from a mud-walled desert town into a modern metropolis of skyscrapers. The city is the political, financial, and administrative center of the Kingdom and is undergoing massive transformation under Vision 2030.
Key Facts
- Country
- Saudi Arabia
- Continent
- Asia
- World rank
- #48 of 140
- Share of country
- 20.8%
- Founded
- 1746
- Elevation
- 612 m
- Coordinates
- 24.688, 46.722
- Climate
- Hot desert; extremely hot summers (45°C+); cool winters; very low rainfall; dust storms common
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- King Khalid International AirportRUH
30 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Riyadh ('The Gardens') was a small oasis town until Ibn Saud captured it in 1902, beginning the unification of Saudi Arabia. The city became the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. Oil wealth from the 1950s funded rapid development. The city has grown from 150,000 in 1960 to over 7 million today, entirely rebuilt with oil revenue.
Economy
Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's economic center, hosting the headquarters of major Saudi companies (Aramco, SABIC), government ministries, and an emerging financial sector. Vision 2030 aims to diversify beyond oil with entertainment, tourism, sports, and technology. The city hosts major conferences and is bidding for Expo 2030. Real estate development is massive, including NEOM investments.
Culture
Riyadh's culture is conservative by global standards but liberalizing rapidly. Women can now drive, cinemas have reopened, and concerts are held. Traditional hospitality, Islamic practices, and Arabic coffee culture remain central. The National Museum and Masmak Fortress showcase Saudi heritage. The city is developing entertainment districts (Boulevard Riyadh City) and hosting international events.
Transportation
Riyadh Metro (6 lines, 176 km) opened recently, one of the world's largest metro projects. The city is heavily car-dependent with major highways. King Khalid International Airport is a major hub. Buses operate but car ownership is very high. Traffic congestion is significant. Ride-hailing (Uber, Careem) is popular.
Current Challenges
Riyadh faces extreme summer heat (45°C+), water scarcity, and complete dependence on desalination and fossil groundwater. Diversifying the economy from oil dependence is critical. Traffic congestion is severe despite new metro. Attracting international talent while maintaining conservative social norms creates tensions. Air quality can be poor due to dust storms.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Kingdom Centre Tower
- Masmak Fortress
- National Museum of Saudi Arabia
- Diriyah (UNESCO, birthplace of Saudi state)
- Al Faisaliyah Tower
- King Abdullah Financial District
- Boulevard Riyadh City
- Edge of the World (nearby)
What Riyadh Is Known For
- Oil industry
- Kingdom Centre
- Vision 2030 transformation
- Diriyah heritage
- Conservative culture
Universities
- King Saud University
- Princess Nourah University
- Alfaisal University
Sports Teams
- Al-Hilal
- Al-Nassr (Ronaldo's club)
- Al-Shabab (football)
Interesting Facts
- Riyadh's population has grown 50x since 1950
- Kingdom Centre Tower has the world's highest sky bridge open to the public
- The city is building a 6-line metro system from scratch
- Aramco in nearby Dhahran is the world's most valuable company
- Riyadh means 'The Gardens' despite being in a desert
- The Masmak Fortress still has a spearhead embedded from Ibn Saud's 1902 raid
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
Metropolitan population against the fifteen largest metro areas.
| Name | Metro population |
|---|---|
| Tokyo | 37.4M |
| Delhi | 32.9M |
| Shanghai | 29.2M |
| São Paulo | 22.6M |
| Dhaka | 22.5M |
| Mexico City | 22.3M |
| Cairo | 22.2M |
| Mumbai | 21.7M |
| Beijing | 21.5M |
| Osaka | 19M |
| New York | 18.9M |
| Karachi | 17.1M |
| Kinshasa | 17.1M |
| Chongqing | 16.9M |
| Lagos | 15.9M |
| Riyadh | 7.68M |
Population Trend in Saudi Arabia
No free source publishes metropolitan population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 1,703,271 |
| 1960 | 2,435,403 |
| 1970 | 3,562,470 |
| 1980 | 6,047,997 |
| 1990 | 10,640,691 |
| 2000 | 16,177,722 |
| 2010 | 25,157,128 |
| 2020 | 30,991,207 |
| 2030 | 37,443,751 |
| 2040 | 42,592,205 |
| 2050 | 47,693,910 |
| 2060 | 52,679,123 |
| 2070 | 57,462,529 |
| 2080 | 61,965,386 |
| 2090 | 66,465,149 |
| 2100 | 71,006,690 |
Other Major Cities in Saudi Arabia
1 more city in our dataset.
- Jeddah4.7M · +1.65%
Nearest Major Cities
Closest cities in our dataset by great-circle distance.
Riyadh Population FAQ
What is the difference between Riyadh's city and metro population?
About 4,205,961 people live within the city proper, while the wider metropolitan area holds roughly 7,676,654. Metro figures include surrounding commuter areas that fall outside the city's administrative boundary.
Is Riyadh growing or shrinking?
Riyadh is growing at +1.89% a year.
What share of Saudi Arabia's population lives in Riyadh?
Riyadh's metro area holds about 20.8% of Saudi Arabia's total population.
How densely populated is Riyadh?
Riyadh has roughly 2,464 people per km² across a metro area of about 3,115 km².
Which airports serve Riyadh?
The nearest major airports are King Khalid International Airport (RUH).
Which country is Riyadh in?
Riyadh is in Saudi Arabia, in Asia.
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