Land use over the long-term in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Land use over the long-term was 134.05 million hectares in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
134.05 million hectares
Change on year
down 0.0%
World rank
6th
of 202 countries
All-time high
134.31 million hectares
in 1995
All-time low
305,867 hectares
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Land use over the long-term in Saudi Arabia, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
In 2025, land use over the long-term in Saudi Arabia stood at 134.05 million hectares.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, land use over the long-term in Saudi Arabia peaked at 134.31 million hectares in 1995 and was at its lowest, 305,867 hectares, in 1000.
Saudi Arabia ranks 6th of 202 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Land use over the long-term in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 305,867 hectares | — |
| 1100 | 396,352 hectares | +29.6% |
| 1200 | 512,964 hectares | +29.4% |
| 1300 | 663,109 hectares | +29.3% |
| 1400 | 728,076 hectares | +9.8% |
| 1500 | 933,431 hectares | +28.2% |
| 1600 | 1.31 million hectares | +40.6% |
| 1700 | 1.46 million hectares | +11.1% |
| 1710 | 1.83 million hectares | +25.5% |
| 1720 | 2.30 million hectares | +25.5% |
| 1730 | 2.88 million hectares | +25.5% |
| 1740 | 3.61 million hectares | +25.5% |
| 1750 | 4.54 million hectares | +25.5% |
| 1760 | 5.69 million hectares | +25.5% |
| 1770 | 7.14 million hectares | +25.5% |
| 1780 | 8.96 million hectares | +25.5% |
| 1790 | 11.24 million hectares | +25.5% |
| 1800 | 14.10 million hectares | +25.5% |
| 1810 | 17.69 million hectares | +25.5% |
| 1820 | 22.19 million hectares | +25.5% |
| 1830 | 28.61 million hectares | +28.9% |
| 1840 | 36.49 million hectares | +27.6% |
| 1850 | 46.54 million hectares | +27.6% |
| 1860 | 47.50 million hectares | +2.1% |
| 1870 | 48.49 million hectares | +2.1% |
| 1880 | 50.04 million hectares | +3.2% |
| 1890 | 51.78 million hectares | +3.5% |
| 1900 | 53.58 million hectares | +3.5% |
| 1910 | 55.45 million hectares | +3.5% |
| 1920 | 55.59 million hectares | +0.3% |
| 1930 | 58.54 million hectares | +5.3% |
| 1940 | 61.64 million hectares | +5.3% |
| 1950 | 64.90 million hectares | +5.3% |
| 1951 | 66.51 million hectares | +2.5% |
| 1952 | 68.28 million hectares | +2.7% |
| 1953 | 70.13 million hectares | +2.7% |
| 1954 | 72.05 million hectares | +2.7% |
| 1955 | 74.00 million hectares | +2.7% |
| 1956 | 75.98 million hectares | +2.7% |
| 1957 | 78.03 million hectares | +2.7% |
| 1958 | 80.18 million hectares | +2.8% |
| 1959 | 82.49 million hectares | +2.9% |
| 1960 | 85.00 million hectares | +3.0% |
| 1961 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1966 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1971 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1979 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1981 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1982 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 85.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 90.00 million hectares | +5.9% |
| 1985 | 95.00 million hectares | +5.6% |
| 1986 | 100.00 million hectares | +5.3% |
| 1987 | 105.00 million hectares | +5.0% |
| 1988 | 110.00 million hectares | +4.8% |
| 1989 | 115.00 million hectares | +4.5% |
| 1990 | 120.00 million hectares | +4.3% |
| 1991 | 120.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 120.00 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 127.00 million hectares | +5.8% |
| 1994 | 133.91 million hectares | +5.4% |
| 1995 | 134.31 million hectares | +0.3% |
| 1996 | 134.30 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 1997 | 134.29 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 1998 | 134.28 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 1999 | 134.23 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2000 | 134.23 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2001 | 134.23 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2002 | 134.22 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2003 | 134.21 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2004 | 134.19 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2005 | 134.18 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2006 | 134.17 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2007 | 134.17 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2008 | 134.16 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2009 | 134.16 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2010 | 134.17 million hectares | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 134.16 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2012 | 134.16 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2013 | 134.16 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2014 | 134.24 million hectares | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 134.23 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2016 | 134.22 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2017 | 134.21 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2018 | 134.20 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2019 | 134.18 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2020 | 134.14 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2021 | 134.12 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2022 | 134.12 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2023 | 134.09 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2024 | 134.06 million hectares | -0.0% |
| 2025 | 134.05 million hectares | -0.0% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 134.05 million hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 395,224 hectares, 339.2× the median. (68 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 134.05 million hectares is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 2.84 million hectares, 47.3× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Land use over the long-term in Saudi Arabia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1600 | +40.6% | 933,431 hectares | 1.31 million hectares |
| 1100 | +29.6% | 305,867 hectares | 396,352 hectares |
| 1200 | +29.4% | 396,352 hectares | 512,964 hectares |
| 1300 | +29.3% | 512,964 hectares | 663,109 hectares |
| 1830 | +28.9% | 22.19 million hectares | 28.61 million hectares |
| 1500 | +28.2% | 728,076 hectares | 933,431 hectares |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 305,867 hectares | 305,867 hectares | 305,867 hectares | 1 |
| 1100s | 396,352 hectares | 396,352 hectares | 396,352 hectares | 1 |
| 1200s | 512,964 hectares | 512,964 hectares | 512,964 hectares | 1 |
| 1300s | 663,109 hectares | 663,109 hectares | 663,109 hectares | 1 |
| 1400s | 728,076 hectares | 728,076 hectares | 728,076 hectares | 1 |
| 1500s | 933,431 hectares | 933,431 hectares | 933,431 hectares | 1 |
| 1600s | 1.31 million hectares | 1.31 million hectares | 1.31 million hectares | 1 |
| 1700s | 1.46 million hectares | 1.46 million hectares | 1.46 million hectares | 1 |
| 1710s | 1.83 million hectares | 1.83 million hectares | 1.83 million hectares | 1 |
| 1720s | 2.30 million hectares | 2.30 million hectares | 2.30 million hectares | 1 |
| 1730s | 2.88 million hectares | 2.88 million hectares | 2.88 million hectares | 1 |
| 1740s | 3.61 million hectares | 3.61 million hectares | 3.61 million hectares | 1 |
| 1750s | 4.54 million hectares | 4.54 million hectares | 4.54 million hectares | 1 |
| 1760s | 5.69 million hectares | 5.69 million hectares | 5.69 million hectares | 1 |
| 1770s | 7.14 million hectares | 7.14 million hectares | 7.14 million hectares | 1 |
| 1780s | 8.96 million hectares | 8.96 million hectares | 8.96 million hectares | 1 |
| 1790s | 11.24 million hectares | 11.24 million hectares | 11.24 million hectares | 1 |
| 1800s | 14.10 million hectares | 14.10 million hectares | 14.10 million hectares | 1 |
| 1810s | 17.69 million hectares | 17.69 million hectares | 17.69 million hectares | 1 |
| 1820s | 22.19 million hectares | 22.19 million hectares | 22.19 million hectares | 1 |
| 1830s | 28.61 million hectares | 28.61 million hectares | 28.61 million hectares | 1 |
| 1840s | 36.49 million hectares | 36.49 million hectares | 36.49 million hectares | 1 |
| 1850s | 46.54 million hectares | 46.54 million hectares | 46.54 million hectares | 1 |
| 1860s | 47.50 million hectares | 47.50 million hectares | 47.50 million hectares | 1 |
| 1870s | 48.49 million hectares | 48.49 million hectares | 48.49 million hectares | 1 |
| 1880s | 50.04 million hectares | 50.04 million hectares | 50.04 million hectares | 1 |
| 1890s | 51.78 million hectares | 51.78 million hectares | 51.78 million hectares | 1 |
| 1900s | 53.58 million hectares | 53.58 million hectares | 53.58 million hectares | 1 |
| 1910s | 55.45 million hectares | 55.45 million hectares | 55.45 million hectares | 1 |
| 1920s | 55.59 million hectares | 55.59 million hectares | 55.59 million hectares | 1 |
| 1930s | 58.54 million hectares | 58.54 million hectares | 58.54 million hectares | 1 |
| 1940s | 61.64 million hectares | 61.64 million hectares | 61.64 million hectares | 1 |
| 1950s | 73.26 million hectares | 64.90 million hectares | 82.49 million hectares | 10 |
| 1960s | 85.00 million hectares | 85.00 million hectares | 85.00 million hectares | 10 |
| 1970s | 85.00 million hectares | 85.00 million hectares | 85.00 million hectares | 10 |
| 1980s | 95.50 million hectares | 85.00 million hectares | 115.00 million hectares | 10 |
| 1990s | 129.23 million hectares | 120.00 million hectares | 134.31 million hectares | 10 |
| 2000s | 134.19 million hectares | 134.16 million hectares | 134.23 million hectares | 10 |
| 2010s | 134.19 million hectares | 134.16 million hectares | 134.24 million hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 134.10 million hectares | 134.05 million hectares | 134.14 million hectares | 6 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More environment data for Saudi Arabia
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -52.52 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -27.86 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.424 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.58 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 2.53 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 9.62 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is land use over the long-term in Saudi Arabia?
- Land use over the long-term in Saudi Arabia was 134.05 million hectares in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest land use over the long-term recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 134.31 million hectares in 1995.
- What is the lowest land use over the long-term recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 305,867 hectares in 1000.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for land use over the long-term?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 6th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is land use over the long-term rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Land use over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 108 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total grazingland area for each separate country over time.