The population of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries climbed to 61.2 million by the end of 2024, marking a rise of over 2.1 million people from the previous year, according to new figures released by the GCC Statistical Centre.
Published in conjunction with World Population Day on July 11, the data reflects a strong rebound in population growth following the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2021, the region has added around 7.6 million people, representing a 14.2% increase.
GCC countries now account for 0.7% of the world’s population. The report also highlights a significant gender imbalance, with males making up 62.8% of the population at approximately 38.5 million, compared to 22.7 million females, or 37.2%. The region’s sex ratio reached 169 males for every 100 females—substantially higher than the global average of 101.
The surge underscores the region’s economic recovery and the continued influx of foreign workers, both of which are key drivers of population growth.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
