List of governorates of Saudi Arabia

The governorates of Saudi Arabia (Arabic: محافظات), are the second-level administrative divisions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They are subdivisions of the country's 13 provinces and are further divided into markazes.

History The Provinces System was established in 1992 under a royal order by King Fahd, initially creating 118 governorates. The system aimed to decentralize governance and improve administrative efficiency by expanding local authority and responsibility. In 2012, under the rule of King Abdullah, the number of governorates was increased to 136 to reflect the country's demographic and geographic developments.

Classification Governorates are classified based on population, availability of public services, geographic and environmental factors, and transportation infrastructure into two levels: Governorate (A) and Governorate (B).

This classification is established in Article 3 of the Provinces System issued by King Fahd in 1992 and amended in 1993.

Governorates

Tabuk Province

Governorate Category Population (2022) Umluj A 69,656 Al-Wajh A 49,948 Duba A 54,917 Tayma A 42,165 Haql B 27,712 Al-Bad' B 17,973

Hail Province

Governorate Category Population (2022) B 74,596 Baqaa A 56,362 Shanan B 29,419 B 20,946 B 19,563 B 17,343 Mawqaq B 16,835 Ghazalah B 12,767

Northern Borders Province

Governorate Category Population (2022) Rafha A 84,536 Turaif A 66,004 B 20,318

Medina Province

Governorate Category Population (2022) Yanbu A 359,631 al-Ula A 60,103 Badr B 58,259 Mahd A 48,590 Khaybar B 45,532 Al-Hunakiyah A 43,256 Wadi al-Fara B 23,120 B 22,445

Eastern Province

Governorate Category Population (2022) Al-Ahsa A 1,104,267 Khobar A 658,550 Qatif A 552,442 Jubail A 505,162 Hafar al-Batin A 467,007 Khafji A 84,316 Nariyah B 63,815 Abqaiq B 64,632 Ras Tanura B 62,314 Qaryat al-Ulya B 21,788 B 8,635 B —

Najran Province

Governorate Category Population (2022) Sharurah A 100,199 Habona B 24,823 Yadamah B 16,160 Thar B 13,391 Badr Al-Janub B 7,991 Khubash B 7,834

Al-Jouf Province

Governorate Category Population (2022) Qurayyat A 195,016 A 54,341 Tabarjal B 109,796

Al-Qassim Province

Governorate Category Population (2022) Unaizah A 184,644 Ar Rass A 121,359 Al-Bukiryah A 63,551 Al-Badai' A 53,779 Al-Mithnab A 43,278 Al-Nabhaniyah B 46,558 Asyah B 35,533 Riyadh Al-Khabra B 31,203 Uyun Al-Jiwa B 29,178 B 20,826 B 20,805 Al-Shimasiyah B 7,818 B —

Al-Baha Province

Governorate Category Population (2022) Baljurashi A 51,787 Al-Mikhwah A 48,333 Al-Aqiq B 37,608 Qilwah B 31,197 Al-Mandaq A 20,010 Al-Qura B 19,586 B 15,496 B 12,506 B 12,136

Mecca Province

Governorate Category Population (2022) Jeddah A 3,751,722 Taif A 913,374 Al-Qunfudhah A 205,188 Rabigh A 112,383 Bahrah A 94,603 Al-Jumum B 89,575 Al-Lith A 73,753 B 65,078 Khulays A 51,338 Ranyah A 49,854 Turubah A 41,769 Al-Khurmah A 38,744 B 33,958 Al-Muwayh B 29,065 B 28,765 Al-Kamil B 14,370

Riyadh Province

Governorate Category Population (2022) Al-Kharj A 373,177 Al-Dawadmi A 200,620 Majmaah A 151,877 Diriyah A 95,834 Wadi Al-Dawasir A 91,535 Al-Zulfi A 74,903 Afif A 71,616 Al-Quway'iyah A 71,410 Al-Muzahmiyya B 62,760 Al-Dilam B 54,822 Al-Aflaj A 54,544 Shaqra A 46,403 Hotat Bani Tamim A 41,854 Rimah B 35,683 Al-Sulayyil B 35,271 B 28,243 Dhurma B 26,299 Huraymila B 21,758 Thadig B 12,510 Al-Ghat A 10,799 Al-Hariq B 10,864 Marat B 9,846

Asir Province

Governorate Category Population (2022) Khamis Mushait A 601,305 Muhayil A 230,537 Bisha A 202,096 Ahad Rafidah B 107,894 Balqarn B 60,012 Sarat Ubaida B 57,123 Rijal Almaa B 50,825 Al-Majaridah B 48,302 Bariq B 44,880 Al-Namas A 38,409 Tathlith A 36,451 Dhahran Al-Janub A 32,099 B 22,583 B 22,298 B 18,503 Tanomah B 17,756 B 10,969

Jazan Province

Governorate Category Population (2022) Sabya A 223,083 Abu 'Arish A 187,060 Samtah A 154,926 Ahad Al-Masarihah B 130,545 Baish B 86,996 Al-Ardah B 79,730 Al-Darb B 68,965 Damad B 64,136 Al-Dayer B 47,424 Al-Tuwal B 36,259 Al-Eidabi B 32,940 B 30,709 B 19,346 Ar Rayth B 16,877 Farasan Islands B 13,529 Al-Harth B 11,561

Defunct governorates

Al-Kharkhir Governorate of Najran Province was the only Saudi governorate to be abolished by royal decree in 2014, with its administrative centres and population transferred to Sharurah Governorate.

List of governorates of Saudi Arabia

Bron en licentie