Birth statistics in Saudi Arabia: 1480 births daily, with Riyadh leading the way
The latest official statistics issued by the health sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia revealed remarkable figures reflecting the population growth and demographic vitality that the country is witnessing, as hospitals in various health sectors recorded 514,968 births during one year, which is equivalent to the birth of a new child almost every minute, with a daily rate exceeding 1,480 cases.
Growth indicators and the significance of the figures
These figures reflect the robustness of the Kingdom's healthcare infrastructure and its capacity to handle this large number of births and provide necessary medical care for mothers and children. The data indicates that Saudi newborns constituted the vast majority of these births, totaling 376,603, representing 73.1% of all births. This is a vital indicator that supports future planning for the educational, housing, and social services required by this growing population.
Geographical distribution of births: Riyadh leads
In terms of geographical distribution, the Riyadh region topped the list with the highest number of births nationwide, at 137,348, which is expected given the high population density in the capital. The Makkah region came in second with more than 110,000 births, distributed across the Ministry's branches in Makkah, Jeddah, Taif, and Al-Qunfudhah, reflecting the significant population of the western region.
The Eastern Province ranked third with a total of 74,586 newborns, with hospitals in Dammam, Al-Ahsa, and Hafr Al-Batin playing a pivotal role in providing maternity services. Details showed that the Ministry's branch in Dammam alone recorded 45,588 births, while Al-Ahsa recorded 19,192 and Hafr Al-Batin 9,806.
Natural birth versus cesarean section
From a medical perspective, statistics show a variation in the type of birth, with vaginal delivery remaining the most prevalent and common option at nearly 60% (304,796 cases). In contrast, cesarean sections accounted for 40.8% (210,167 cases), a percentage that reflects the medical staff's commitment to surgical intervention when necessary to ensure the safety of both mother and fetus, and which aligns with international medical standards in cases requiring it.
Population diversity and less registered areas
A closer look at the demographics reveals that Al-Qurayyat Governorate has the highest percentage of Saudi births, with Saudis comprising 92% of all births there. In contrast, the Holy City of Mecca recorded the lowest percentage of Saudi births at 50%, a fact explained by Mecca's cosmopolitan character and the diversity of its residents.
As for the regions with the fewest recorded births, Al-Baha region came at the bottom of the list with a total of only 5,404 cases, while Madinah recorded more than 38,000 cases, followed by Asir region with about 35,000 cases, which illustrates the disparity in population distribution among the different regions of the Kingdom.
