Saudi Census 2022

Saudi Census 2022 is the fifth census of population and housing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the first electronic census in the history of the Kingdom. It involved the collection of special detailed information and data by filling in the census form that analyzes the data of individuals and families. The census was implemented by the General Authority for Statistics. It relied on the latest technologies, such as satellites and self-enumeration technology to accurately identify inhabited housing, with results exceeding 95 percent. The actual counting stage began on May 10, 2022, and ended on June 16, 2022.

The Saudi Census 2022 witnessed for the first time the implementation of self-enumeration technology, which allows people to fill out the census electronically through smart phones or computers.

According to the Population Census Law, participation in the census is mandatory, as thirty thousand census field researchers took part in its implementation by visiting families and houses to collect data, in accordance with the highest levels of confidentiality and privacy, and in direct coordination with the Ministry of Interior and emirates of provinces. This census comes after the latest general population and housing census that took place in 2010, when the population had reached at the time 27,136,977 people.

Counting methods evolved in the Saudi Census 2022, as census field researchers no longer needed to fill out paperwork to collect data unless the individuals and families ask for their help to fill it out during their visit.

The census relied on types of data to produce statistics, such as statistical census data, big data and data of administrative records available to governmental entities. It targeted citizens and residents within the Kingdom, as well as those temporarily residing outside the Kingdom for the purposes of trade, treatment or tourism, and were included in the census by their families.

The Saudi Census 2022 is a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030, providing the data needed to drive better decision-making. The census is also leveraged by governmental entities for developing socio-economic policies and urban plans for cities, in addition to improving development plans for the health and education sectors, etc.

Colleges and national research centers also rely on the census to carry out developmental research and studies, and set an estimate for the population in the future. Moreover, it is beneficial for individuals, the private sector and investors in identifying and understanding demographic characteristics in order to start commercial activities or buy houses.

The Saudi Census 2022 form contained approximately fifty detailed questions that include demographic, health, economic, educational and housing characteristics.

As the entity being responsible for carrying out this census, the General Authority for Statistics ensured the confidentiality and privacy of personal data and information of individuals, as it does not share them with other entities.

Statistical data is one of the census' most important outputs, and the main reference for entities when setting future plans.

Participation in Saudi Census 2022 is mandatory as per the General Population Census Law, which stipulated in its articles the obligation to participate in the census, and answer the questions contained in the enumeration form. Moreover, the General Statistics Law has authorized the authority to impose monetary fines to anyone who knowingly disrupts the census work, refuses to provide the required data or intentionally provides incorrect data.

On May 31, 2023, the main results of the census were announced with a population of 32,175,224, of which 18.8 million are Saudis at 58.4 percent, while 13.4 million are non-Saudis at 41.6 percent, of whom 19.7 million are males at 61 percent, and 12.5 million are females at 39 percent.

The inhabitants of Riyadh, Makkah and the Eastern Province represented 68 percent of the total population. Riyadh was the most populous city in the Kingdom, followed by Jeddah, Makkah, al-Madinah and Dammam.

The average age of the population was twenty-nine, and the average age of Saudis was twenty-five, with 63 percent of Saudis under 30 years old. The number of dwellings reached more than eight million, 51 percent of which were residential apartments.

The total number of Saudi households was 4.2 million, with an average size of 4.8 individuals per household. The ratio of Saudi males to Saudi females was close (50.2 percent for males and 49.8 percent for females). The average size of non-Saudi family members was 2.7 individuals per household, and 76 percent of all non-Saudis in the kingdom were male.