Saudi Arabia has said that the population of the country has hit 27.1 million, according to the preliminary results of its 2010 census.

The figures, reported by state news agency Saudi Press Agency (SPA), show an increase in the population from the June 2009 population of 25 million people, estimated by the Central Department of Statistics and Information.

The preliminary census figures show the population is made up of 8.4 million expatriates workers, or around 30 per cent of the population. Of the 18.7 million Saudi Arabian nationals, 9.5 million are male and 9.2 million are female.

The number of homes in the country is 4.6 million.

The figures are still under review and reflect the population on 27 April 2010.