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Population in Saudi Arabia compared to South Sudan: Trends, Charts, Rankings

Updated on by Georank team

The latest officially reported population of Saudi Arabia was 35,300,280 in 2024 vs 11,943,408 people in South Sudan in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Saudi Arabia's population is 36,734,925 people compared to 12,507,858 in South Sudan.

Population statistics:

  • Saudi Arabia's population is 2.94 times bigger than South Sudan's.
  • Saudi Arabia is ranked the 44th most populous country in the world, while South Sudan is the 80th.
  • The countries together account for 0.59% of the world: 0.44% for Saudi Arabia vs 0.15% for South Sudan.
  • For the last 10 years, Saudi Arabia has had an average growth rate of +2.3% per year vs +0.65% in South Sudan.
  • Since 2006, the population of Saudi Arabia has increased from 21.5M people to 36.7M (71.2% growth), while South Sudan has grown from 7.98M to 12.5M (56.8% growth).

Saudi Arabia vs South Sudan: population by year and forecast

Saudi Arabia
Factual

Projection
South Sudan
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Population
Saudi Arabia South Sudan
2100 74,230,118 24,086,901
2099 73,760,045 24,081,477
2098 73,287,526 24,063,461
2097 72,813,125 24,065,268
2096 72,336,039 24,054,483
2095 71,858,206 24,046,345
2094 71,379,928 24,047,776
2093 70,900,460 24,039,017
2092 70,420,464 24,019,054
2091 69,940,749 24,000,308
2090 69,462,214 23,978,496
2089 68,985,976 23,937,487
2088 68,510,277 23,892,166
2087 68,035,545 23,857,250
2086 67,562,521 23,803,312
2085 67,091,615 23,759,178
2084 66,621,667 23,687,109
2083 66,152,653 23,617,646
2082 65,684,321 23,541,119
2081 65,216,102 23,466,449
2080 64,749,128 23,391,758
2079 64,282,393 23,294,252
2078 63,815,918 23,197,067
2077 63,348,712 23,086,584
2076 62,880,120 22,987,331
2075 62,409,793 22,868,587
2074 61,937,628 22,726,189
2073 61,462,662 22,583,672
2072 60,984,202 22,438,943
2071 60,502,791 22,288,026
2070 60,018,216 22,151,650
2069 59,529,456 22,003,659
2068 59,036,086 21,829,800
2067 58,539,487 21,662,211
2066 58,039,687 21,496,881
2065 57,537,106 21,317,455
2064 57,032,172 21,142,002
2063 56,524,331 20,965,122
2062 56,014,549 20,785,055
2061 55,501,467 20,608,964
2060 54,986,901 20,430,857
2059 54,469,809 20,235,022
2058 53,950,469 20,048,974
2057 53,430,639 19,853,696
2056 52,909,061 19,659,362
2055 52,386,571 19,464,297
2054 51,862,312 19,257,481
2053 51,336,335 19,060,517
2052 50,809,100 18,840,461
2051 50,280,719 18,633,198
2050 49,751,739 18,434,212
2049 49,221,828 18,230,881
2048 48,690,143 18,021,026
2047 48,157,605 17,806,282
2046 47,623,246 17,579,173
2045 47,087,215 17,355,041
2044 46,550,306 17,121,972
2043 46,013,232 16,888,278
2042 45,475,200 16,645,354
2041 44,936,131 16,396,768
2040 44,396,093 16,142,816
2039 43,856,006 15,889,952
2038 43,314,707 15,628,043
2037 42,773,375 15,363,975
2036 42,231,639 15,091,275
2035 41,690,245 14,815,307
2034 41,150,029 14,543,511
2033 40,611,021 14,278,180
2032 40,073,144 14,007,134
2031 39,535,357 13,730,637
2030 38,998,581 13,465,615
2029 38,417,447 13,206,477
2028 37,810,902 12,947,082
2027 37,189,969 12,692,769
2026 36,566,201 12,439,296
2025 35,932,673 12,193,102
2024 35,300,280 11,943,408
2023 33,702,731 11,483,374
2022 32,175,224 11,021,177
2021 30,784,383 10,865,780
2020 31,552,510 10,698,467
2019 30,063,799 10,423,384
2018 30,196,281 10,122,977
2017 30,977,355 10,259,154
2016 30,954,198 10,830,102
2015 29,816,382 11,107,561
2014 28,309,273 11,235,073
2013 27,624,004 11,166,275
2012 26,168,861 10,756,240
2011 25,091,867 10,288,109
2010 23,978,487 9,745,953
2009 24,217,654 9,243,556
2008 23,287,877 8,817,647
2007 22,368,313 8,388,788
2006 21,459,144 7,976,526
2005 20,559,890 7,590,143
2004 19,669,480 7,233,041
2003 18,786,767 6,903,127
2002 17,910,910 6,596,806
2001 17,041,397 6,308,391
2000 16,177,722 6,032,267
1999 15,472,075 5,771,628
1998 14,922,185 5,620,068
1997 14,374,943 5,509,136
1996 13,831,009 5,356,925
1995 13,289,245 5,225,836
1994 12,750,040 5,071,184
1993 12,215,862 4,956,002
1992 11,686,676 4,909,749
1991 11,160,744 4,836,677
1990 10,640,691 4,737,633
1989 10,128,394 4,713,229
1988 9,629,165 4,848,029
1987 9,130,194 4,962,395
1986 8,628,639 4,921,240
1985 8,151,779 4,834,296
1984 7,697,307 4,750,627
1983 7,252,941 4,661,574
1982 6,824,486 4,557,686
1981 6,420,551 4,447,272
1980 6,047,997 4,339,030
1979 5,703,698 4,232,605
1978 5,381,902 4,127,657
1977 5,083,048 4,024,032
1976 4,807,933 3,921,910
1975 4,556,287 3,821,494
1974 4,323,632 3,723,259
1973 4,106,344 3,627,383
1972 3,905,722 3,542,497
1971 3,724,031 3,468,646
1970 3,562,470 3,409,614
1969 3,417,114 3,365,533
1968 3,282,711 3,321,528
1967 3,157,242 3,277,648
1966 3,039,887 3,236,423
1965 2,928,771 3,189,835
1964 2,821,968 3,129,918
1963 2,719,341 3,072,669
1962 2,620,910 3,024,308
1961 2,526,347 2,976,724
1960 2,435,403 2,931,559

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/population/saudi-arabia/south-sudan | CC BY

From 2006 to 2016, the population of Saudi Arabia increased by 9,495,054 people (a 44.2% growth), while South Sudan gained 2,853,576 people (a 35.8% growth).

For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Saudi Arabia gained 5,780,727 people (a 18.7% growth), while South Sudan's population increased by 1,677,756 people (a 15.5% growth).

Saudi Arabia was ranked 50th most populous country in 2006 and is 44th in 2026. South Sudan was ranked 92nd in 2006 and ranked 80th now.

The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Saudi Arabia's population will grow by 35.4% to 49,751,739 people with a rank change from 44th to 43rd. The population of South Sudan will increase by 47.4% to 18,434,212 people and rank change from 80th to 78th.

Saudi Arabia is projected to reach its peak in 2100 at 74.2M people compared to the peak of 24.1M people in 2100 for South Sudan.

Population growth rate by year

Saudi Arabia
Factual

Projection
South Sudan
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Growth rate
Saudi Arabia South Sudan
2100 0.64% 0.02%
2099 0.64% 0.07%
2098 0.65% -0.008%
2097 0.66% 0.04%
2096 0.66% 0.03%
2095 0.67% -0.006%
2094 0.68% 0.04%
2093 0.68% 0.08%
2092 0.69% 0.08%
2091 0.69% 0.09%
2090 0.69% 0.17%
2089 0.69% 0.19%
2088 0.7% 0.15%
2087 0.7% 0.23%
2086 0.7% 0.19%
2085 0.71% 0.3%
2084 0.71% 0.29%
2083 0.71% 0.33%
2082 0.72% 0.32%
2081 0.72% 0.32%
2080 0.73% 0.42%
2079 0.73% 0.42%
2078 0.74% 0.48%
2077 0.75% 0.43%
2076 0.75% 0.52%
2075 0.76% 0.63%
2074 0.77% 0.63%
2073 0.78% 0.64%
2072 0.8% 0.68%
2071 0.81% 0.62%
2070 0.82% 0.67%
2069 0.84% 0.8%
2068 0.85% 0.77%
2067 0.86% 0.77%
2066 0.87% 0.84%
2065 0.89% 0.83%
2064 0.9% 0.84%
2063 0.91% 0.87%
2062 0.92% 0.85%
2061 0.94% 0.87%
2060 0.95% 0.97%
2059 0.96% 0.93%
2058 0.97% 0.98%
2057 0.99% 0.99%
2056 1% 1%
2055 1.01% 1.07%
2054 1.02% 1.03%
2053 1.04% 1.17%
2052 1.05% 1.11%
2051 1.06% 1.08%
2050 1.08% 1.12%
2049 1.09% 1.16%
2048 1.11% 1.21%
2047 1.12% 1.29%
2046 1.14% 1.29%
2045 1.15% 1.36%
2044 1.17% 1.38%
2043 1.18% 1.46%
2042 1.2% 1.52%
2041 1.22% 1.57%
2040 1.23% 1.59%
2039 1.25% 1.68%
2038 1.27% 1.72%
2037 1.28% 1.81%
2036 1.3% 1.86%
2035 1.31% 1.87%
2034 1.33% 1.86%
2033 1.34% 1.94%
2032 1.36% 2.01%
2031 1.38% 1.97%
2030 1.51% 1.96%
2029 1.6% 2%
2028 1.67% 2%
2027 1.71% 2.04%
2026 1.76% 2.02%
2025 1.79% 2.09%
2024 4.74% 4.01%
2023 4.75% 4.19%
2022 4.52% 1.43%
2021 -2.43% 1.56%
2020 4.95% 2.64%
2019 -0.44% 2.97%
2018 -2.52% -1.33%
2017 0.07% -5.27%
2016 3.82% -2.5%
2015 5.32% -1.13%
2014 2.48% 0.62%
2013 5.56% 3.81%
2012 4.29% 4.55%
2011 4.64% 5.56%
2010 -0.99% 5.44%
2009 3.99% 4.83%
2008 4.11% 5.11%
2007 4.24% 5.17%
2006 4.37% 5.09%
2005 4.53% 4.94%
2004 4.7% 4.78%
2003 4.89% 4.64%
2002 5.1% 4.57%
2001 5.34% 4.58%
2000 4.56% 4.52%
1999 3.69% 2.7%
1998 3.81% 2.01%
1997 3.93% 2.84%
1996 4.08% 2.51%
1995 4.23% 3.05%
1994 4.37% 2.32%
1993 4.53% 0.94%
1992 4.71% 1.51%
1991 4.89% 2.09%
1990 5.06% 0.52%
1989 5.18% -2.78%
1988 5.47% -2.3%
1987 5.81% 0.84%
1986 5.85% 1.8%
1985 5.9% 1.76%
1984 6.13% 1.91%
1983 6.28% 2.28%
1982 6.29% 2.48%
1981 6.16% 2.49%
1980 6.04% 2.51%
1979 5.98% 2.54%
1978 5.88% 2.58%
1977 5.72% 2.6%
1976 5.52% 2.63%
1975 5.38% 2.64%
1974 5.29% 2.64%
1973 5.14% 2.4%
1972 4.88% 2.13%
1971 4.54% 1.73%
1970 4.25% 1.31%
1969 4.09% 1.32%
1968 3.97% 1.34%
1967 3.86% 1.27%
1966 3.79% 1.46%
1965 3.78% 1.91%
1964 3.77% 1.86%
1963 3.76% 1.6%
1962 3.74% 1.6%
1961 3.73% 1.54%

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/population/saudi-arabia/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2024, the population of Saudi Arabia grew by 4.74%, while South Sudan's population grew by 4.01%.

Live population counters

Saudi Arabia South Sudan
Current population
36734925
12507858
Population rank 44/197 80/197
Percent of world population 0.44% 0.15%
One net population change
19.7 seconds
1.14 minutes
One birth every
57 seconds
1.6 minutes
One death every
6.66 minutes
4.76 minutes
Daily growth/decline +4,377 +1,260
Annual growth/decline +1,597,549 +460,034
Annual growth/decline rate +4.74% +4.01%
Population growth rate rank 4/197 7/197
One migration net change every
4.4 minutes
1.43 hours
Annual migration change +119,738 +6,145
Net migration rank 13/196 50/196
Foreign-born residents 13,683,841 914,001
Foreign-born residents rank 3/195 62/195
Foreign-born share of population 40.3% 7.7%
Foreign-born share rank 14/195 77/195

Natural population change vs migration

Saudi Arabia
Natural

Migration
South Sudan
Natural

Migration
1x
Year Population change
Saudi Arabia South Sudan
Natural Migration Natural Migration
2025 - 119,738 - 6,145
2024 - 122,170 - 15,374
2023 474,366 325,691 217,966 455,000
2022 406,920 977,072 211,166 40,259
2021 409,032 -106,287 213,567 -154,359
2020 447,036 -74,725 212,332 62,935
2019 474,407 191,582 209,708 65,198
2018 528,767 -988,751 168,497 157,408
2017 546,751 -920,812 72,193 -670,477
2016 537,829 -26,997 110,553 -654,225
2015 511,023 465,292 148,542 -159,822
2014 493,431 469,144 227,611 -471,523
2013 475,299 485,794 315,983 65,337
2012 465,649 479,206 312,974 125,771
2011 443,675 491,253 303,181 194,325
2010 418,641 504,955 287,409 299,402
2009 438,557 496,229 278,859 139,129
2008 433,457 491,337 268,268 165,557
2007 425,199 489,136 256,546 167,350
2006 399,333 504,661 246,706 153,926
2005 375,938 518,565 239,272 132,869
2004 362,843 523,472 231,877 110,182
2003 364,520 514,606 225,822 91,951
2002 372,099 500,508 212,014 82,847
2001 382,153 484,252 204,108 77,856
2000 392,407 468,515 196,055 74,227
1999 390,112 160,263 180,721 70,271
1998 389,499 159,898 -12,157 64,285
1997 385,033 160,066 121,454 48,280
1996 382,248 160,532 116,728 17,953
1995 380,231 160,512 110,417 17,077
1994 377,351 160,306 165,407 16,407
1993 372,621 158,074 32,779 15,772
1992 366,763 160,908 28,874 15,077
1991 361,329 162,857 87,873 14,327
1990 355,495 160,416 82,900 12,988
1989 349,399 159,273 83,735 -130,821
1988 342,865 146,918 -125,447 -97,065
1987 333,088 175,075 5,756 -11,976
1986 322,340 172,606 99,502 -10,973
1985 310,558 148,208 95,342 -9,986
1984 296,615 153,562 90,970 -8,984
1983 280,616 157,930 104,107 -7,986
1982 264,831 153,528 118,641 -6,983
1981 249,156 140,355 115,163 -5,994
1980 234,372 121,220 112,307 -4,997
1979 220,186 112,826 109,540 -3,997
1978 205,331 105,263 107,352 -2,998
1977 191,103 96,015 104,886 -1,997
1976 178,024 85,083 102,346 -995
1975 166,223 73,960 99,882 -395
1974 155,478 69,653 97,181 -192
1973 145,450 63,995 94,765 0
1972 136,360 55,439 74,803 193
1971 127,600 43,989 72,308 394
1970 120,440 31,097 44,776 587
1969 113,859 25,312 42,015 786
1968 108,281 21,366 44,213 995
1967 103,343 17,947 41,357 1,194
1966 98,361 15,054 38,523 1,386
1965 93,820 15,000 51,682 1,591
1964 89,776 15,000 64,786 1,785
1963 85,480 15,000 46,333 1,591
1962 81,393 15,000 47,406 1,386
1961 77,743 15,000 45,186 1,194
1960 74,143 15,000 42,945 995

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/population/saudi-arabia/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the last 10 years, 93.9% of the population change in Saudi Arabia is from natural causes (a gain of 4,829,562 people) and 6.05% is from migration (a gain of 311,209 people). In South Sudan 57.4% is from natural causes (a gain of 1,792,135 people) and 42.6% is from migration (a loss of 1,329,606 people).

As of 2024, 13,683,841 residents or 40.3% of the population were not native-born in Saudi Arabia, compared to 914,001 people or 7.7% in South Sudan.

Biggest cities by population

Saudi Arabia
City Population
Riyadh 7.01M
Jeddah 4.7M
Mecca 2.43M
Medina 1.41M
Dammam 903K
Tabuk 886K
Qatif 625K
Jubail 379K
Ha'il 311K
Yanbu 299K
South Sudan
City Population
Juba 500K
Wau 321K
Bor 315K
Malakal 147K
Yambio 130K

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Population map with other countries

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/population/saudi-arabia/south-sudan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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