The Arab region’s population has reached 480 million in 2024, doubling since the early 1990s and is projected to exceed 540 million by 2030. With a 1.9% annual growth rate, the region is expanding at nearly twice the global average.
These figures are highlighted in a policy brief newly released by ESCWA, entitled “Demographic Trends in the Arab Region: 1950-2030”. It outlines the region’s demographic profile, highlighting notable similarities and differences among the countries.
The brief further discusses demographic trends the region has experienced since 1950, such as the overall decrease infertility and decrease in infant mortality rates, and significant gains in life expectancy. It also compares these trends to those in other regions of the world, and explores the policy implications of demographic changes.
