What is the population of Riyadh?
Riyadh has a city population of 4,205,961. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
Capital city · Saudi Arabia · Asia
Riyadh
City population
4,205,961
#2
in Saudi Arabia
#1
in Riyadh Region
#80
worldwide
24.688, 46.722
About 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.
Metro population
7,676,654
0.092% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+1.89%
Archive estimateDensity
2,464/km²
3,115 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#1of 12
Founded
1746
Coordinates
24.688, 46.722
Record updated
26 March 2024
Entry edited, not measured
City population, GeoNames. GeoNames publishes no year for its population figures, so “record updated” is when the entry was last edited — not the date the population was measured. Elevation is modelled from a digital elevation model rather than surveyed, so it is approximate.
Nearby Cities
All 96 in Saudi ArabiaClosest listed cities by great-circle distance from the city centre.
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
City-proper population against the fifteen largest cities in the dataset.
| Name | City population |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 24.9M |
| Beijing | 19M |
| Shenzhen | 17.5M |
| Guangzhou | 16.1M |
| Kinshasa | 16M |
| Istanbul | 15.7M |
| Lagos | 15.4M |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 14M |
| Chengdu | 13.6M |
| Lahore | 13M |
| Mumbai | 12.7M |
| São Paulo | 12.4M |
| Mexico City | 12.3M |
| Karachi | 11.6M |
| Tianjin | 11.1M |
| Riyadh | 4.21M |
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
Population Trend in Saudi Arabia
No free source publishes city 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 |
Riyadh Population FAQ
Where is Riyadh?
Riyadh is in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia. Its coordinates are 24.688, 46.722.
How big is Riyadh compared with other cities in Saudi Arabia?
It is the 2nd largest of the 96 cities listed in Saudi Arabia, holding 11.4% of the national population.