Will China's population drop below 1 billion?

Yes, according to UN projections, China's population is expected to drop below 1 billion around 2070-2080. China's population peaked in 2021 at approximately 1.41 billion and has been declining since. With a fertility rate of just 2.28 births per woman (far below the replacement level of 2.1), the decline is expected to accelerate. By 2100, China's population could fall to around 770 million.

Why is India's population growing faster than China's?

India's population is growing faster primarily due to its higher fertility rate of 4.59 births per woman compared to China's 2.28. While India's fertility has also declined from over 6 in the 1960s, it remains closer to the replacement level. Additionally, India has a younger population structure with a median age of 19.4 years versus 30.6 years in China, meaning more people are in their reproductive years.

What is the demographic dividend and which country benefits more?

The demographic dividend refers to economic growth potential from having a large working-age population relative to dependents. Yemen is currently in a better position to benefit, with 65% of its population under 35 years old. Yemen's demographic window will remain open for about 20 more years, while Saudi Arabia's has already begun closing. However, Yemen needs to create jobs and improve education to fully capitalize on this advantage, as its workforce participation rate (especially for women at 25-35%) is much lower than Saudi Arabia's.

How does population affect GDP for Saudi Arabia and Yemen?

Population directly impacts GDP through workforce size and consumption. Saudi Arabia currently has a higher GDP per capita, but its aging and shrinking workforce poses challenges. Yemen's growing, younger population provides more workers and consumers, potentially driving economic growth. Economists project that Yemen's economy could surpass Saudi Arabia's by 2075 due to demographic advantages. However, Yemen must improve productivity (currently about half of Saudi Arabia's) to fully benefit from its population advantage.

What was the impact of China's one-child policy?

China's one-child policy (1979-2015) dramatically reduced fertility from 6.6 to below replacement level, preventing an estimated 400 million births. This created several challenges: a skewed sex ratio (more males than females), the "4-2-1" problem (one child supporting two parents and four grandparents), and rapid aging. The policy contributed to China's current fertility rate of just 2.28, well below what's needed for population stability.

Which country has more elderly people?

Saudi Arabia has significantly more elderly people both in absolute numbers and percentage. With a median age of 30.6 years, Saudi Arabia is aging rapidly - about 13% of its population is over 65, compared to just 7% in Yemen. By 2050, over one-third of Saudi Arabia's population will be 65+, creating massive pension and healthcare challenges. Yemen, with a median age of 19.4, has more time to prepare for population aging.

What are the population densities of Saudi Arabia vs Yemen?

Yemen is significantly more densely populated than Saudi Arabia. With 41.8 million people in 3.3 million km², Yemen has about 448 people per km². Saudi Arabia, despite having 34.6 million people, has 9.6 million km² of land, resulting in just 147 people per km². This makes Yemen over 3 times as densely populated as Saudi Arabia, creating different challenges for infrastructure and resource management.

When will India's population peak?

India's population is projected to peak around 2061 at approximately 1.7 billion people, after which it will begin a gradual decline. This gives India about 36 more years of population growth. The peak will come as fertility rates continue to fall (currently 4.59 and declining) and the population ages. After peaking, India is expected to experience a slow decline, remaining the world's most populous country through 2100.

How do male-female ratios compare between Saudi Arabia and Yemen?

Both countries have more males than females, but for different reasons. Saudi Arabia's sex ratio imbalance (about 105 males per 100 females) was exacerbated by the one-child policy and cultural preference for sons, leading to sex-selective practices. Yemen also has a skewed ratio (about 108 males per 100 females), similarly influenced by cultural preferences. Both countries face challenges from this imbalance, including millions of men unable to find marriage partners, potentially affecting social stability.

Saudi Arabia vs Yemen: Population Comparison 2025

Oil wealth vs poverty. Saudi intervention in Yemen's demographic crisis.

Saudi Arabia

2025

Total Population

Yemen

Total Population

Yemen leads by 7.2M people

Gap is 20.85% of Saudi Arabia's population

Fertility Rate

2.28vs4.59

Yemen +2.31

Median Age

30.6vs19.4

Yemen younger

Density /km²

4vs13

Yemen 3.3x denser

Working Age %

73.3%vs56.4%

Ages 15-64

Saudi Arabia: Stable Population

Yemen: Stable Population

Replacement Level: 2.1

Population Pyramids Comparison

Total Population

Saudi Arabia

34.6M

Yemen

41.8M

Youth (0-14)

Saudi Arabia

23.6%

Yemen

41.0%

Elderly (65+)

Saudi Arabia

3.1%

Yemen

2.5%

Demographic Analysis: Saudi Arabia vs Yemen

In 2025, Saudi Arabia has a population of 35M, while Yemen has 42M. This represents a difference of 7M, with Yemen having 1.2 times the population of the other. Saudi Arabia ranks #48 globally by population size, while Yemen ranks #37.

The median age reveals significant demographic differences: Saudi Arabia has a median age of 30.6 years, compared to 19.4 years in Yemen. This 11.2-year difference indicates that Saudi Arabia has a significantly older population, with important implications for workforce dynamics, healthcare needs, and economic development. The dependency ratio in Saudi Arabia is 36.4%, while in Yemen it is 77.2%, showing the relative burden of non-working age populations on the workforce.

Gender balance differs between the two countries: Saudi Arabia has a sex ratio of 152.69 males per female, while Yemen has 102.70. Saudi Arabia shows a higher proportion of males, which can affect marriage markets, labor force composition, and social dynamics. These ratios reflect various factors including sex-selective practices, differential mortality rates, and migration patterns.

Comprehensive Demographic Comparison 2025

Indicator	Saudi Arabia	Yemen	Difference / Ratio
Population Metrics
Total Population (2025)	35M	42M	1.2x smaller
World Population Ranking	#48	#37	11 places apart
Population Growth Rate (5-year)	+2.21%	+2.94%	0.74pp difference
Projected Growth (2025-2050)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00pp difference
Age Structure
Median Age	30.6 years	19.4 years	11.2 years older
Youth (0-14) Population	23.6%	41.0%	17.4pp difference
Working Age (15-64) Population	73.3%	56.4%	16.9pp difference
Elderly (65+) Population	3.1%	2.5%	0.5pp difference
Youth Bulge (15-29)	25.0%	27.1%	2.2pp difference
Prime Workforce (25-54)	52.7%	33.5%	19.1pp difference
Demographic Indicators
Total Dependency Ratio	36.4%	77.2%	40.8pp difference
Child Dependency Ratio	32.2%	72.7%	40.5pp difference
Old-Age Dependency Ratio	4.2%	4.5%	0.3pp difference
Sex Ratio (males per 100 females)	152.7	102.7	50.0 difference
Total Fertility Rate	2.28 children/woman	4.59 children/woman	2.31 difference
Estimated Birth Rate	15.7 per 1,000	31.4 per 1,000	15.7 difference
Aging Index (65+/0-14)	12.9%	6.2%	6.7pp difference
Population Pyramid Type	stationary	expansive	Different types

📊 Understanding the Population Difference Chart

This visualization shows where and by how much the populations differ between Saudi Arabia and Yemen for each age group, split by gender:

Left Side (Males)

Blue = Saudi Arabia has more males

Green = Yemen has more males

Right Side (Females)

Pink = Saudi Arabia has more females

Orange = Yemen has more females

💡 How to Read: Each age group shows up to 2 bars - one on the left (male difference) and one on the right (female difference). The bar's color tells you which country has more people, and the bar's length shows by how much. For example, if you see a green bar on the left, it means Yemen has more males in that age group.

Notable Differences (>20% variance):

Ages 0-4: Yemen has 58.7% more people

Men: 2.0M more in Yemen • Women: 1.9M more in Yemen

Saudi Arabia: 1.4M men, 1.3M women • Yemen: 3.4M men, 3.2M women

Population Ratio

2.7M

6.6M

Ages 5-9: Yemen has 52.1% more people

Men: 1.5M more in Yemen • Women: 1.5M more in Yemen

Saudi Arabia: 1.4M men, 1.4M women • Yemen: 2.9M men, 2.8M women

Population Ratio

2.8M

5.8M

Ages 10-14: Yemen has 44.1% more people

Men: 1.1M more in Yemen • Women: 1.0M more in Yemen

Saudi Arabia: 1.4M men, 1.3M women • Yemen: 2.5M men, 2.4M women

Population Ratio

2.7M

4.8M

Ages 15-19: Yemen has 41.9% more people

Men: 905K more in Yemen • Women: 884K more in Yemen

Saudi Arabia: 1.3M men, 1.2M women • Yemen: 2.2M men, 2.1M women

Population Ratio

2.5M

4.3M

Ages 20-24: Yemen has 28.0% more people

Men: 364K more in Yemen • Women: 684K more in Yemen

Saudi Arabia: 1.5M men, 1.2M women • Yemen: 1.9M men, 1.8M women

Population Ratio

2.7M

3.7M

Ages 30-34: Saudi Arabia has 28.4% more people

Men: 1.1M more in Saudi Arabia • Women: 174K more in Yemen

Saudi Arabia: 2.6M men, 1.4M women • Yemen: 1.6M men, 1.5M women

Population Ratio

4.0M

3.1M

Ages 35-39: Saudi Arabia has 43.2% more people

Men: 1.2M more in Saudi Arabia • Women: 74K more in Yemen

Saudi Arabia: 2.6M men, 1.2M women • Yemen: 1.3M men, 1.3M women

Population Ratio

3.8M

2.7M

Ages 40-44: Saudi Arabia has 46.1% more people

Men: 1.0M more in Saudi Arabia • Women: 53K more in Yemen

Saudi Arabia: 2.1M men, 997K women • Yemen: 1.1M men, 1.0M women

Population Ratio

3.1M

2.1M

Ages 45-49: Saudi Arabia has 39.9% more people

Men: 690K more in Saudi Arabia • Women: 54K more in Yemen

Saudi Arabia: 1.5M men, 733K women • Yemen: 805K men, 787K women

Population Ratio

2.2M

1.6M

Ages 50-54: Saudi Arabia has 33.2% more people

Men: 464K more in Saudi Arabia • Women: 68K more in Yemen

Saudi Arabia: 1.1M men, 528K women • Yemen: 597K men, 596K women

Population Ratio

1.6M

1.2M

Ages 55-59: Saudi Arabia has 29.7% more people

Men: 317K more in Saudi Arabia • Women: 50K more in Yemen

Saudi Arabia: 758K men, 407K women • Yemen: 441K men, 457K women

Population Ratio

1.2M

898K

Ages 60-64: Saudi Arabia has 23.3% more people

Men: 185K more in Saudi Arabia • Women: 35K more in Yemen

Saudi Arabia: 492K men, 301K women • Yemen: 307K men, 336K women

Population Ratio

793K

643K

Ages 90-94: Saudi Arabia has 72.4% more people

Men: 3K more in Saudi Arabia • Women: 3K more in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia: 5K men, 8K women • Yemen: 3K men, 5K women

Population Ratio

14K

Ages 95-99: Saudi Arabia has 262.5% more people

Men: 715 more in Saudi Arabia • Women: 1K more in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia: 899 men, 2K women • Yemen: 184 men, 607 women

Population Ratio

791

Ages 100+: Saudi Arabia has 1689.5% more people

Men: 71 more in Saudi Arabia • Women: 250 more in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia: 72 men, 268 women • Yemen: 1 men, 18 women

Population Ratio

340

195020252025

Population Difference

-7.2M

Yemen larger

Growth Since 1950

Saudi Arabia

+1929.4%

Yemen

+804.8%

Population Ratio

1 : 1.21

Saudi Arabia : Yemen

Metric	Saudi Arabia	Yemen	Difference
Total Population	34.6M	41.8M	-17.3%
Median Age	30.6 years	19.4 years	+11.2
Youth Population (0-14)	8.2M 23.6%	17.1M 41.0%	-52.4%
Working Age (15-64)	25.3M 73.3%	23.6M 56.4%	+7.5%
Elderly Population (65+)	1.1M 3.1%	1.1M 2.5%	-0.6%
Total Dependency Ratio	36.4 per 100	77.2 per 100	-40.8
Youth Dependency Ratio	32.2 per 100	72.7 per 100	-40.5
Old-Age Dependency Ratio	4.2 per 100	4.5 per 100	-0.3
Sex Ratio	152.7 M/100F	102.7 M/100F	+50.0
Population Structure Type	Stationary	Expansive	Different

Total Population

Saudi Arabia

34.6M

Yemen

41.8M

Difference: -17.3%

Median Age

Saudi Arabia

30.6 years

Yemen

19.4 years

Difference: +11.2

Youth Population (0-14)

Saudi Arabia

8.2M

23.6%

Yemen

17.1M

41.0%

Difference: -52.4%

Working Age (15-64)

Saudi Arabia

25.3M

73.3%

Yemen

23.6M

56.4%

Difference: +7.5%

Elderly Population (65+)

Saudi Arabia

1.1M

3.1%

Yemen

1.1M

2.5%

Difference: -0.6%

Total Dependency Ratio

Saudi Arabia

36.4 per 100

Yemen

77.2 per 100

Difference: -40.8

Youth Dependency Ratio

Saudi Arabia

32.2 per 100

Yemen

72.7 per 100

Difference: -40.5

Old-Age Dependency Ratio

Saudi Arabia

4.2 per 100

Yemen

4.5 per 100

Difference: -0.3

Sex Ratio

Saudi Arabia

152.7 M/100F

Yemen

102.7 M/100F

Difference: +50.0

Note: Dependency ratios represent the number of dependents (youth + elderly) per 100 working-age individuals. Higher ratios indicate greater economic burden on the working population.

Current Gap

2.31

births per woman

Below Replacement Level

Neither

Healthy replacement rates

2030 Projection Gap

2.21

Yemen above replacement

Note: The replacement fertility rate of 2.1 is the level at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.Both countries are experiencing demographic transitions as they develop economically. Countries below 2.1 face potential population decline without immigration, while those above 2.1 continue growing naturally.

🏆

Historic Milestone: 2023

Yemen became the world's most populous country, ending Saudi Arabia's centuries-long reign

Saudi Arabia: 75-Year Journey

1950 Population:2M

2025 Population:35M

Total Growth:+33M (1929.4%)

Peak Year:Still growing

Yemen: 75-Year Journey

1950 Population:5M

2025 Population:42M

Total Growth:+37M (804.8%)

Projected Peak:Still growing

Growth Rate by Period

1950-1975

Saudi Arabia: 4.01%/yr

Yemen: 2.29%/yr

1975-2000

Saudi Arabia: 5.20%/yr

Yemen: 3.59%/yr

2000-2025

Saudi Arabia: 3.08%/yr

Yemen: 3.07%/yr

Frequently Asked Questions

India officially overtook China as the world's most populous country in April 2023, according to United Nations estimates. This historic shift ended China's long reign as the world's most populous nation, a position it had held for centuries. As of 2025, India has 41.8 million people compared to China's 34.6 million, a gap of 7.2 million people.