https://arab.news/gn5hr
By the year 2100, many of the world’s major economies are expected to have lost 20 percent to 50 percent of their population due to a growing pattern of aging. Japan, for instance, is already facing the impact of this transition, as it is home to one of the highest numbers of aging citizens globally. China is facing a similar challenge. The global population growth rate has dropped from 1.7 percent in 1950 to 0.8 percent in 2025. As such, experts predict that, by 2084, international population growth will stop completely and even turn negative by the end of the century.
Amid these worrying trends, Saudi Arabia stands out. With a young and growing population, the Kingdom is on a path of economic prosperity, youthful ambition and societal advancement. Saudi Arabia’s population reached 35.3 million in mid-2024, with Saudi nationals accounting for more than 55 percent of the total. An annual growth rate of approximately 2.52 percent since 2023 has been driven by both a natural increase and immigration. The average age among Saudis is 26.6 years, compared to the global average of 33.6 years.
High fertility rates in the Kingdom have led to natural population growth at a time of rapid global aging. In 2024, Saudi women had an average of 2.7 children, well above the global average of 2.3. Despite the overall decrease in fertility rates globally, the outlook remains positive for Saudi Arabia as it continues to boast a growing and vibrant young population.
