Number of Expatriates in Saudi

Saudi Arabia is a home for almost eight nationals with 85.6 percent of the total number of expatriates which is roughly 9 million people in 2013 according to the latest research study and of course the Filipinos are among of them.

In a report from an American website - Bio, south Asian nationals account the largest population in the kingdom namely, the Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis as compared to other nationalities of the world. Among the Arab nationals, Egyptians has the largest population then followed by the Yemenis and Sudanese. How about the Filipinos? The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are next to Egyptians which is in 5^th place for the most number of expatriates in the kingdom. To make it clearer and more visual here’s a chart showing the population of Expats in the KSA:

An estimated of 10 million expatriates are living in the kingdom, wherein 85.6 percent of expatriates comprised the eight (8) nations from India (largest population with 19.4%), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Philippines, Yemen, Indonesia, and Sudan. Fifteen (15) percent belongs to other different countries such as Lebanon, UK, USA, and so on.

Let me convert the population percentage into numbers:

India = 19.4% = 1.76 million

Pakistan =14.5% = 1.32 million

Bangladesh = 14.4% = 1.31 million

Egypt = 14.3% = 1.30 million

Philippines = 11.3% = 1.03 million

Yemen = 5.07% = 460,000

Indonesia = 4.19% = 380,000

Sudan = 2.5% = 230,000

Others = 15% 

          Sri Lanka = 150,000

          Jordan = 170,000

Syria = 140,000

          Kuwait = 130,000

Palestine = 120,000

Turkey = 100,000

Lebanon = 60,000

Britain = 30,000

South Sudan 30,000

Afghanistan = 20,000

          Nepal = 20,000

          Thailand = 20,000

          Ethiopia = 30,000

          Eritrea = 40,000

          United States = 40,000

Morocco = 20,000

          Nigeria = 10,000

`        Chad = 10,000

          Tunisia = 10,000

          Others = 10,000

According to the website – worldpopulation.com, the latest estimate of the population of the country is to be around 20,654,212 citizens, with 9 million expatriates or foreigners.

82nd Saudi Arabia National Day

Today marks the 82^nd commemoration of the Saudi Arabia National Day (Al-Yaoum-al-Watany). This is the day when late King Abdul Aziz bin Saud via royal decree on September 23, 1932, declared the unification of four (4) regions namely Hejaz, Najd, Al Hasa (Eastern part) and Asir (Southern part)  and be called the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It is said that the kingdom’s national day was not celebrated as holiday before by their countrymen until King Abdullah declared it a day for celebration and recognition in 2005. Biggest events and activities are centered and usually held in its largest capital city, Riyadh, and some other main cities of the kingdom. The celebration is not as the same as what we observed or we experienced to some other western or democratic countries because it is still in accordance to the rules and regulations of Islamic religion. However, the holiday could still be enjoyed by anyone as specific shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, and malls offer significant discounts to its customers. Though there are no musical concerts or public entertainments in the streets, a firework display is held at night.

However, in my present workplace which is in the northern border of the kingdom, the holiday is least felt and celebrated. Saudi people of this area treated the day just like as an ordinary day. I saw some locals along the streets driving their cars with their green flag on it, some are waving it, and some don’t care at all. There were no such big events here just like what happens to large cities maybe because the people here are not yet used in celebrating their founding anniversary. I guess the people here are much more excited in observing Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha. Anyways, though my day for the kingdom’s founding anniversary is so different to what I experienced in the Philippines, still I’m so very thankful from the kingdom for giving me, as an expat worker, a safe and secure place to work and live in. In behalf of my fellow Filipinos, I gratefully congratulates them on the occasion of the kingdom’s 82^nd founding anniversary. Happy National Day KSA!