The population of the GCC countries reached 61.2 million by the end of 2024, an increase of over 2.1 million compared to 2023, marking a 3.6% growth, according to the latest statistics released by the GCC Statistical Center. 
The data, released in conjunction with World Population Day on July 11, also indicated a swift population recovery in the GCC following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since 2021, the region’s population has grown by approximately 7.6 million, or 14.2%, reflecting a rapid return to population growth after the slowdown seen in some countries during the pandemic.
The following table shows the population growth in the GCC over the past four years:
Population Growth Since 2021 (mln)
Year
Total
2021
53.6
2022
56.6
2023
59.1
2024
61.2
As of 2024, males made up approximately 38.5 million (62.8%) of the GCC population, while females totaled around 22.7 million (37.2%).
The GCC population represented 0.7% of the world’s population in 2024. The gender ratio in the GCC stood at 169 males for every 100 females, compared to the global average of 101 males per 100 females.
Saudi Arabia led the region with 35.3 million, accounting for about 58% of the total GCC population by the end of 2024, followed by the UAE with 11 million (18%).
GCC Population by Country (mln)
Country
Population
% of Total
Saudi Arabia
35.3
58%
UAE
11.0
18%
Oman
5.3
9%
Kuwait
4.9
8%
Qatar
3.1
5%
Bahrain
1.6
3%
Total
61.2
100%
The population of the GCC countries reached 61.2 million by the end of 2024, an increase of over 2.1 million compared to 2023, marking a 3.6% growth, according to the latest statistics released by the GCC Statistical Center.
The data, released in conjunction with World Population Day on July 11, also indicated a swift population recovery in the GCC following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since 2021, the region’s population has grown by approximately 7.6 million, or 14.2%, reflecting a rapid return to population growth after the slowdown seen in some countries during the pandemic.
The following table shows the population growth in the GCC over the past four years:
Population Growth Since 2021 (mln)
Year
Total
2021
53.6
2022
56.6
2023
59.1
2024
61.2
As of 2024, males made up approximately 38.5 million (62.8%) of the GCC population, while females totaled around 22.7 million (37.2%).
The GCC population represented 0.7% of the world’s population in 2024. The gender ratio in the GCC stood at 169 males for every 100 females, compared to the global average of 101 males per 100 females.
Saudi Arabia led the region with 35.3 million, accounting for about 58% of the total GCC population by the end of 2024, followed by the UAE with 11 million (18%).
GCC Population by Country (mln)
Country
Population
% of Total
Saudi Arabia
35.3
58%
UAE
11.0
18%
Oman
5.3
9%
Kuwait
4.9
8%
Qatar
3.1
5%
Bahrain
1.6
3%
Total
61.2
100%
