Saudi White Land in Riyadh Hits 71M Sqm – Ministry

The total area of white land in Riyadh that has entered development or trading reached about 71 million square meters, the Housing Ministry said on Monday via the state-run Saudi Press Agency. The ministry added that white land fee revenues funded 27 development and urban projects in the capital.

The white land fee, introduced in 2016, levies a 2.5% annual charge on undeveloped land within municipal boundaries. The policy aims to increase housing supply and curb land speculation as part of Saudi Vision 2030. The 71 million sqm figure represents land that is either being developed or has changed hands, the ministry said.

The fee has generated billions of riyals in revenue since its implementation. The ministry did not specify the total revenue collected for the Riyadh projects.

The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia pushes to raise homeownership rates among citizens to 70% by 2030. Riyadh, the country's largest city by population, accounts for a significant share of the housing target.