Reported cases of measles in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Reported cases of measles was 1,260 Cases in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
1,260 Cases
Change on year
down 44.1%
World rank
35th
of 210 countries
All-time high
47,202 Cases
in 1974
All-time low
35 Cases
in 2020
Years of data
50
1974–2024
Reported cases of measles in Saudi Arabia, 1974–2024
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in Cases.
Analysis
In 2024, reported cases of measles in Saudi Arabia stood at 1,260 Cases.
The figure is down 44.1% on the previous year and up 718.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reported cases of measles in Saudi Arabia peaked at 47,202 Cases in 1974 and was at its lowest, 35 Cases, in 2020.
Saudi Arabia ranks 35th of 210 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reported cases of measles in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | Cases | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 47,202 Cases | — |
| 1975 | 27,173 Cases | -42.4% |
| 1976 | 28,472 Cases | +4.8% |
| 1977 | 24,407 Cases | -14.3% |
| 1978 | 36,993 Cases | +51.6% |
| 1979 | 30,627 Cases | -17.2% |
| 1980 | 46,115 Cases | +50.6% |
| 1981 | 35,790 Cases | -22.4% |
| 1982 | 33,294 Cases | -7.0% |
| 1983 | 44,633 Cases | +34.1% |
| 1984 | 30,457 Cases | -31.8% |
| 1985 | 18,393 Cases | -39.6% |
| 1986 | 22,830 Cases | +24.1% |
| 1987 | 29,220 Cases | +28.0% |
| 1988 | 8,225 Cases | -71.9% |
| 1989 | 3,588 Cases | -56.4% |
| 1990 | 5,439 Cases | +51.6% |
| 1991 | 6,368 Cases | +17.1% |
| 1992 | 11,299 Cases | +77.4% |
| 1993 | 3,182 Cases | -71.8% |
| 1994 | 1,253 Cases | -60.6% |
| 1995 | 2,574 Cases | +105.4% |
| 1996 | 2,407 Cases | -6.5% |
| 1997 | 3,978 Cases | +65.3% |
| 1998 | 5,519 Cases | +38.7% |
| 1999 | 2,815 Cases | -49.0% |
| 2001 | 155 Cases | -94.5% |
| 2002 | 311 Cases | +100.6% |
| 2003 | 1,208 Cases | +288.4% |
| 2004 | 1,880 Cases | +55.6% |
| 2005 | 373 Cases | -80.2% |
| 2006 | 807 Cases | +116.4% |
| 2007 | 4,648 Cases | +476.0% |
| 2008 | 158 Cases | -96.6% |
| 2009 | 82 Cases | -48.1% |
| 2010 | 334 Cases | +307.3% |
| 2011 | 362 Cases | +8.4% |
| 2012 | 294 Cases | -18.8% |
| 2013 | 1,164 Cases | +295.9% |
| 2014 | 154 Cases | -86.8% |
| 2015 | 219 Cases | +42.2% |
| 2016 | 125 Cases | -42.9% |
| 2017 | 459 Cases | +267.2% |
| 2018 | 1,164 Cases | +153.6% |
| 2019 | 1,035 Cases | -11.1% |
| 2020 | 35 Cases | -96.6% |
| 2021 | 338 Cases | +865.7% |
| 2022 | 247 Cases | -26.9% |
| 2023 | 2,254 Cases | +812.6% |
| 2024 | 1,260 Cases | -44.1% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 1,260 Cases is above the median for high income countries, which is 7 Cases, 180.0× the median. (75 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 1,260 Cases is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 91 Cases, 13.8× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Reported cases of measles 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | +865.7% | 35 Cases | 338 Cases |
| 2023 | +812.6% | 247 Cases | 2,254 Cases |
| 2007 | +476.0% | 807 Cases | 4,648 Cases |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 32,479 Cases | 24,407 Cases | 47,202 Cases | 6 |
| 1980s | 27,254 Cases | 3,588 Cases | 46,115 Cases | 10 |
| 1990s | 4,483 Cases | 1,253 Cases | 11,299 Cases | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,069 Cases | 82 Cases | 4,648 Cases | 9 |
| 2010s | 531 Cases | 125 Cases | 1,164 Cases | 10 |
| 2020s | 826.8 Cases | 35 Cases | 2,254 Cases | 5 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More health data for Saudi Arabia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.8373 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.3736 % change on previous year (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 829 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 5.31 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0384 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 5.38 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0401 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is reported cases of measles in Saudi Arabia?
- Reported cases of measles in Saudi Arabia was 1,260 Cases in 2024, according to World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest reported cases of measles recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 47,202 Cases in 1974.
- What is the lowest reported cases of measles recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 35 Cases in 2020.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for reported cases of measles?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 35th out of 210 countries with data for 2024.
- Is reported cases of measles rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 718.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Reported cases of measles. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 50 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).