Regional and urban population size weights in Saudi Arabia, 1962–1974

Abstract

The aim of this paper 3s to study the development of population weights for regions and urban centres in Saudi Arabia through the period 1962–1974. In order to achieve this aim some non-parametric statistical rules have been used such as rank-size rule and the four-city index. The results show non-balanced distribution of population on both regional and urban scales. The concentration of people in urban centres is more pronounced than the concentration in regions. This is due to internal and external movement of population towards largesized urban centres. The paper recommends that the official authorities should give more consideration to economic and service development in rural and urban areas that are retreating in ranking and decreasing in population.