2024 Edition

Background

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman AL SAUD (Ibn Saud) founded the modern Saudi state in 1932 after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. One of his male descendants rules the country today, as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. After Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia took in the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees, while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil and liberate Kuwait the following year. Major terrorist attacks in 2003 spurred a strong ongoing campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. US troops returned to the Kingdom in 2019 after attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure. From 2005 to 2015, King ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud incrementally modernized the Kingdom through a series of social and economic initiatives that included expanding employment and social opportunities for women, attracting foreign investment, increasing the private sector's role in the economy, and discouraging the hiring of foreign workers. Saudi Arabia saw some protests during the 2011 Arab Spring but not the level of bloodshed seen in protests elsewhere in the region; Riyadh took a cautious but firm approach, arresting and quickly releasing some protesters and using its state-sponsored clerics to counter political and Islamist activism. The government held its first-ever elections in 2005 and 2011, when Saudis voted for municipal councilors. King ABDALLAH's reforms accelerated under King SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz, who ascended to the throne in 2015 and lifted the Kingdom's ban on women driving, implemented education reforms, funded green initiatives, and allowed cinemas to operate for the first time in decades. In 2015, women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates for the first time in municipal elections, with 19 women winning seats. King SALMAN initially named his nephew, MUHAMMAD BIN NAYIF bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, as the Crown Prince, but a palace coup in 2017 resulted in King SALMAN's son, Deputy Crown Prince MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, taking over as Crown Prince. King SALMAN appointed MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN as prime minister in 2022.In 2015, Saudi Arabia led a coalition of 10 countries in a military campaign to restore Yemen's legitimate government, which had been ousted by Houthi forces. The war in Yemen has drawn international criticism for civilian casualties and its effect on the country’s dire humanitarian situation. The same year, MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN announced that Saudi Arabia would lead a multi-nation Islamic Coalition to fight terrorism, and in 2017, Saudi Arabia inaugurated the Global Center for Combatting Extremist Ideology (also known as "Etidal").  The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds about 17% of the world's proven oil reserves as of 2020. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification -- particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in 2005 -- and promotes foreign investment in the Kingdom. In 2016, the Saudi Government announced broad socio-economic reforms known as Vision 2030. Low global oil prices in 2015 and 2016 significantly lowered Saudi Arabia’s governmental revenue, prompting cuts to subsidies on water, electricity, and gasoline; reduced government-employee compensation; and new land taxes. In coordination with OPEC and some key non-OPEC countries, Saudi Arabia agreed to cut oil output in 2017 to regulate supply and help boost global prices. In 2020, this agreement collapsed, and Saudi Arabia launched a price war by flooding the market with low-priced oil before returning to the negotiating table to agree to a major output cut that helped buoy prices. 

Area

land

2,149,690 sq km

total

2,149,690 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US

Climate

harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

Coastline

2,640 km

Elevation

highest point

As Sarawat range, 3,000 m

lowest point

Persian Gulf 0 m

mean elevation

665 m

Geographic coordinates

25 00 N, 45 00 E

Geography - note

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the world without a river; extensive coastlines on the Persian Gulf and Red Sea allow for considerable shipping (especially of crude oil) through the Persian Gulf and Suez Canal

Irrigated land

11,910 sq km (2018)

Land boundaries

border countries

Iraq 811 km; Jordan 731 km; Kuwait 221 km; Oman 658 km; Qatar 87 km; UAE 457 km; Yemen 1,307 km

total

4,272 km

Land use

agricultural land

80.7% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 1.5% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 79.1% (2018 est.)

forest

0.5% (2018 est.)

other

18.8% (2018 est.)

Location

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen

Major aquifers

Arabian Aquifer System

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

18 nm

continental shelf

not specified

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

frequent sand and dust stormsvolcanism: despite many volcanic formations, there has been little activity in the past few centuries; volcanoes include Harrat Rahat, Harrat Khaybar, Harrat Lunayyir, and Jabal Yar

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Population distribution

historically a population that was mostly nomadic or semi-nomadic, the Saudi population has become more settled since petroleum was discovered in the 1930s; most of the economic activities - and with it the country's population - is concentrated in a wide area across the middle of the peninsula, from Ad Dammam in the east, through Riyadh in the interior, to Mecca-Medina in the west near the Red Sea

Terrain

mostly sandy desert

Age structure

0-14 years

22.9% (male 4,266,720/female 4,097,270)

15-64 years

72.7% (male 15,577,133/female 10,994,061)

65 years and over

4.4% (2024 est.) (male 856,985/female 752,262)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

13.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.5% (2020) NA

Contraceptive prevalence rate

27.9% (2019)

Current health expenditure

5.5% of GDP (2018)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

63.2% (2023 est.)

Death rate

3.5 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

3.7

potential support ratio

27.4 (2021 est.)

total dependency ratio

40.4

youth dependency ratio

36.8

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: NA

improved: total

total: 100% of population

improved: urban

urban: NA

unimproved: rural

rural: NA

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: NA

Education expenditures

7.8% of GDP (2020) NA

Ethnic groups

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Gross reproduction rate

0.91 (2024 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.2 beds/1,000 population (2017)

Infant mortality rate

female

10.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male

12.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

11.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Languages

Languages

Arabic (official)

major-language sample(s)

كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Life expectancy at birth

female

78.8 years

male

75.6 years

total population

77.2 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96% (2020)

male

98.6%

total population

97.6%

Major urban areas - population

7.682 million RIYADH (capital), 4.863 million Jeddah, 2.150 million Mecca, 1.573 million Medina, 1.329 million Ad Dammam, 872,000 million Hufuf-Mubarraz (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

16 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Median age

female

29.3 years

male

34.6 years

total

32.4 years (2024 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Saudi or Saudi Arabian

noun

Saudi(s)

Net migration rate

6.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

35.4% (2016)

Physician density

2.74 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Population

female

15,843,593 (2024 est.)

male

20,700,838

total

36,544,431

Population distribution

historically a population that was mostly nomadic or semi-nomadic, the Saudi population has become more settled since petroleum was discovered in the 1930s; most of the economic activities - and with it the country's population - is concentrated in a wide area across the middle of the peninsula, from Ad Dammam in the east, through Riyadh in the interior, to Mecca-Medina in the west near the Red Sea

Population growth rate

1.68% (2024 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official; citizens are 85-90% Sunni and 10-12% Shia), other (includes Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh) (2020 est.)

note

note: despite having a large expatriate community of various faiths (more than 30% of the population), most forms of public religious expression inconsistent with the government-sanctioned interpretation of Sunni Islam are restricted; non-Muslims are not allowed to have Saudi citizenship and non-Muslim places of worship are not permitted (2013)

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: NA

improved: total

total: 100% of population

improved: urban

urban: NA

unimproved: rural

rural: NA

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: NA

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

16 years (2021)

male

17 years

total

17 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years

1.42 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.14 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.31 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

female

2% (2020 est.)

male

26.5% (2020 est.)

total

14.3% (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.87 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.69% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

85% of total population (2023)

Administrative divisions

13 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah (Northern Border), Al Jawf, Al Madinah al Munawwarah (Medina), Al Qasim, Ar Riyad (Riyadh), Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jazan, Makkah al Mukarramah (Mecca), Najran, Tabuk

Capital

etymology

the name derives from the Arabic word "riyadh," meaning "gardens," and refers to various oasis towns in the area that merged to form the city

geographic coordinates

24 39 N, 46 42 E

name

Riyadh

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

the father must be a citizen of Saudi Arabia; a child born out of wedlock in Saudi Arabia to a Saudi mother and unknown father

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

amendments

proposed by the king directly or proposed to the king by the Consultative Assembly or by the Council of Ministers; passage by the king through royal decree; Basic Law amended many times, last in 2017

history

1 March 1992 - Basic Law of Government, issued by royal decree, serves as the constitutional framework and is based on the Qur'an and the life and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad

Country name

conventional long form

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

conventional short form

Saudi Arabia

etymology

named after the ruling dynasty of the country, the House of Saud; the name "Arabia" can be traced back many centuries B.C., the ancient Egyptians referred to the region as "Ar Rabi"

local long form

Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

local short form

Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Michael RATNEY (since 27 April 2023)

consulate(s) general

Dhahran, Jeddah

email address and website

RiyadhACS@state.govhttps://sa.usembassy.gov/

embassy

Riyadh 11564

FAX

[966] (11) 488-7360

mailing address

6300 Riyadh Place, Washington DC  20521-6300

telephone

[966] (11) 835-4000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador Reema Bint Bandar Bin Sultan AL SAUD (since 8 July 2019)

consulate(s) general

Houston, Los Angeles, New York

email address and website

saudisusemb@mofa.gov.sahttps://www.saudiembassy.net/

FAX

[1] (202) 295-3625

telephone

[1] (202) 342-3800

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch every 4 years and includes many royal family members

chief of state

King SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 23 January 2015)

elections/appointments

none; the monarchy is hereditary; an Allegiance Council created by royal decree in October 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes for a voice in selecting future Saudi kings

head of government

Crown Prince and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 27 September 2022)

Flag description

green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family, which established the kingdom in 1932; the flag is manufactured with differing obverse and reverse sides so that the Shahada reads - and the sword points - correctly from right to left on both sides

note

note: the only national flag to display an inscription as its principal design; one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Moldova and Paraguay

Government type

absolute monarchy

Independence

23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, BRICS, CAEU, CP, FAO, G-20, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

High Court (consists of the court chief and organized into circuits with 3-judge panels, except for the criminal circuit, which has a 5-judge panel for cases involving major punishments)

judge selection and term of office

High Court chief and chiefs of the High Court Circuits appointed by royal decree upon the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council, a 10-member body of high-level judges and other judicial heads; new judges and assistant judges serve 1- and 2-year probations, respectively, before permanent assignment

subordinate courts

Court of Appeals; Specialized Criminal Court, first-degree courts composed of general, criminal, personal status, and commercial courts; Labor Court; a hierarchy of administrative courts

Legal system

Islamic (sharia) legal system with some elements of Egyptian, French, and customary law; note - several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees

Legislative branch

description

unicameral Shura Council (Majlis Ash-Shura) (150 seats plus a speaker; members appointed by the monarch to serve 4-year terms); note - in early 2013, the monarch granted women 30 seats on the Council

election results

composition - men 121, women 30, percentage women 19.9%

National anthem

lyrics/music

Ibrahim KHAFAJI/Abdul Rahman al-KHATEEB

name

"Aash Al Maleek" (Long Live Our Beloved King)

note

note: music adopted 1947, lyrics adopted 1984

National heritage

selected World Heritage Site locales

Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) (c); At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah (c); Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah (c); Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia (c); Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape (c); Ḥimā Cultural Area (c); ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid (n);The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area (c)

total World Heritage Sites

7 (7 cultural, 1 natural)

National holiday

Saudi National Day (Unification of the Kingdom), 23 September (1932)

National symbol(s)

palm tree surmounting two crossed swords; national colors: green, white

Political parties

none

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal for municipal elections

note

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/saudi-women-go-to-the-polls-finally

Agricultural products

milk, dates, chicken, wheat, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons, olives, eggs, onions (2022)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Average household expenditures

on alcohol and tobacco

0.7% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

on food

20.4% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$315.007 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

revenues

$398.023 billion (2022 est.)

Credit ratings

Fitch rating

A (2019)

Moody's rating

A1 (2016)

note

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Standard & Poors rating

A- (2016)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2021

$41.718 billion (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

$151.519 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

$34.07 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Economic overview

high-income, oil-based Middle Eastern economy; OPEC leader; diversifying portfolio; declining per-capita incomes; young labor force; key human capital gaps; heavy bureaucracy and increasing corruption; substantial poverty; low innovation economy

Exchange rates

Currency

Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2019

3.75 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

3.75 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

3.75 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

3.75 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

3.75 (2023 est.)

Exports

Exports 2021

$286.502 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$445.881 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$370.974 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - commodities

crude petroleum, refined petroleum, ethylene polymers, plastics, fertilizers (2022)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

China 19%, India 13%, Japan 10%, South Korea 10%, US 7% (2022)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

34.7% (2023 est.)

government consumption

23.3% (2023 est.)

household consumption

40% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services

-27.4% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital

27.9% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories

1.4% (2023 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

2.7% (2023 est.)

industry

47% (2023 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

services

44.9% (2023 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.068 trillion (2023 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Imports

Imports 2021

$213.516 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$258.213 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$291.565 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - commodities

cars, broadcasting equipment, garments, gold, refined petroleum (2022)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

China 22%, UAE 16%, US 6%, India 6%, Germany 4% (2022)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

-1.51% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics, metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

3.06% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

2.47% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

2.33% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

16.934 million (2023 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Public debt

Public debt 2017

17.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

$1.717 trillion (2021 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$1.845 trillion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$1.831 trillion (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2021

5.08% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

7.49% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

-0.75% (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2021

$47,800 (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

$50,700 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$49,600 (2023 est.)

Remittances

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Remittances 2021

0.03% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

0.03% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

0.03% of GDP (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$473.89 billion (2021 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$478.232 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$457.949 billion (2023 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

7.77% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Unemployment rate

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2021

6.62% (2021 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

5.59% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

4.88% (2023 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

24.4% (2023 est.)

male

12.9% (2023 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

total

16.3% (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

437,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from consumed natural gas

239.078 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

398.933 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

total emissions

638.449 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

Coal

consumption

164,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

exports

200 metric tons (2022 est.)

imports

164,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

Electricity

consumption

393.213 billion kWh (2022 est.)

exports

382.556 million kWh (2022 est.)

imports

334.737 million kWh (2022 est.)

installed generating capacity

80.11 million kW (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

38.658 billion kWh (2022 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

99.7% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

solar

0.2% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

wind

0.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2022

313.903 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

121.87 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

production

121.87 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

proven reserves

9.423 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

crude oil estimated reserves

258.6 billion barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

3.649 million bbl/day (2022 est.)

total petroleum production

11.113 million bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

23 (2020 est.)

total

7,890,261 (2020 est.)

Broadcast media

broadcast media are state-controlled; state-run TV operates 4 networks; Saudi Arabia is a major market for pan-Arab satellite TV broadcasters; state-run radio operates several networks; multiple international broadcasters are available

Communications - note

the innovative King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (informally known as Ithra, meaning "enrichment") opened on 1 December 2017 in Dhahran, Eastern Region; its facilities include a grand library, several museums, an archive, an Idea Lab, a theater, a cinema, and an Energy Exhibit, all which are meant to provide visitors an immersive and transformative experience

Internet country code

.sa

Internet users

percent of population

100% (2021 est.)

total

36 million (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

fixed-line are 18 per 100 and mobile-cellular subscribership is 126 per 100 persons (2021)

general assessment

Saudi Arabia’s telecom and ICT sectors continue to benefit from the range of programs aimed at diversifying the economy away from a dependence on oil, and establishing a wider digital transformation over the next decade; an essential element of this has been the widening reach of 5G networks, which by mid-2021 reached about half of the population and the majority of cities; the MNOs have focused investment on upgrading LTE infrastructure and further developing 5G; this in part is aimed at generating additional revenue from mobile data services, and also to their contribution to the Vision 2030 program; the ongoing pandemic has resulted in more people working and schooling from home during periods of restricted travel; this has stimulated growth in mobile data traffic, while the government has encouraged non-cash transactions and so helped develop the vast e-commerce market; while Saudi Arabia’s fixed broadband penetration remains relatively low, there has been a concentration of fiber infrastructure and the Kingdom has developed one of the fastest services in the region (2022)

international

country code - 966; landing points for the SeaMeWe-3, -4, -5, AAE-1, EIG, FALCON, FEA, IMEWE, MENA/Gulf Bridge International, SEACOM, SAS-1, -2, GBICS/MENA, and the Tata TGN-Gulf submarine cables providing connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia; microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) (2019)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

19 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

6.773 million (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

132 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

48.198 million (2022 est.)

Airports

86 (2024)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

HZ

Heliports

67 (2024)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 9, container ship 1, general cargo 20, oil tanker 55, other 348

total

433 (2023)

National air transport system

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

1,085,470,000 (2018) mt-km

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

39,141,660 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

230

number of registered air carriers

12 (2020)

Pipelines

209 km condensate, 2,940 km gas, 1,183 km liquid petroleum gas, 5,117 km oil, 1,151 km refined products (2013)

Ports

key ports

Dammam, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Ju Aymah Oil Terminal, Ras Tannurah, Ras Al Khafji, Ras Al Mishab

medium

1

ports with oil terminals

10

small

7

total ports

16 (2024)

very small

8

Railways

standard gauge

5,410 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings)

total

5,410 km (2016)

Roadways

paved

47,529 km (includes 3,891 km of expressways)

total

221,372 km

unpaved

173,843 km (2006)

Military - note

the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces (SAAF) are divided into the regular forces under the Ministry of Defense and the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG); the regular forces are responsible for territorial defense, although they can be called for domestic security duties if needed; they include land, naval, air, air defense, and strategic missile forcesthe SANG is responsible for both internal security and external defense; its duties include protecting the royal family, guarding against military coups, defending strategic facilities and resources, and providing security for the cities of Mecca and Medina; the SANG is primarily comprised of tribal elements loyal to the Saud family and is comprised of brigades of light infantry, mechanized or motorized infantry, and security forces; it is supplemented by combat helicopter units and tribal levies/militias known as FowjSaudi Arabia has close security ties with the US; the SAAF conducts bilateral exercises with the US military and hosts US forces; the US has participated in a cooperative program to equip and train the SANG since 1973; much of the equipment for both the regular forces and the SANG has been acquired from the US; Saudi Arabia also has defense relationships with China, France, India, the UK, and fellow Gulf Cooperation Council membersin 2015, Saudi Arabia led a military intervention into Yemen by a coalition of Arab states in support of the Republic of Yemen Government against the separatist Houthis; Saudi forces from both the Ministry of Defense and the SANG participated in combat operations in Yemen; Saudi Arabia also raised and equipped paramilitary/militia security forces in Yemen--based largely on tribal or regional affiliation--to deploy along the Saudi-Yemen border (2024)

Military and security forces

the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces (SAAF) are divided into two ministries:Ministry of Defense: Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes marines, special forces, naval aviation), Royal Saudi Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Missiles Force; Ministry of the National Guard: Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG)Other security forces include: Ministry of Interior: Special Forces for Security and Protection; Special Forces for Environmental Security; Special Forces for Roads Security; General Directorate of Border GuardState Security Presidency (SSP): General Directorate of Investigation (Mabahith), Special Security Forces, Special Emergency Forces (2024)

note

note 1: the SANG (also known as the White Army) is a land force comprised off tribal elements loyal to the House of Saud; it is responsible for internal security, protecting the royal family, and external defensenote 2: the SAAF includes the Saudi Royal Guard Command, a unit which provides security and protection to the ruling family and other dignitaries

Military and security service personnel strengths

the Saudi Armed Forces have about 250,000 total active troops; approximately 125,000 under the Ministry of Defense (75,000 Land Forces; 15,000 Naval Forces, including about 3,000 marines; 35,000 Air Force/Air Defense/Strategic Missile Forces) and up to 125,000 in the Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG) (2023)

note

note: SANG also has an irregular force (Fowj), primarily Bedouin tribal volunteers, with a total strength of approximately 25,000

Military deployments

continues to maintain a military presence in Yemen; has also established and supports several local militias, including the National Shield Forces in Aden and the Amajid Brigade in Abyan (2023)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the inventory of the Saudi military forces, including the SANG, includes a mix of mostly modern weapons and equipment from Europe and the US; the US has been the largest supplier; major European suppliers have included France, Spain, and the UK; Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest importers of arms (2024)

note

note: the Saudi Navy is in the midst of a multi-year and multi-billion-dollar expansion and modernization program to purchase new frigates, corvettes, and other naval craft from such suppliers as Spain and the US

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2019

8.8% of GDP (2019 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

6% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

6% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

7% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military service age and obligation

men (17-40) and women (21-40) may volunteer for military service; no conscription (2023)

note

note: in 2021, women were allowed to serve in the Army, Air Defense, Navy, Strategic Missile Force, medical services, and internal security forces up to the rank of non-commissioned officer

Illicit drugs

regularly sentences drug traffickers to the death penalty, although a moratorium on executions for drug offences has been in place since at least 2020; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement

Refugees and internally displaced persons

stateless persons

70,000 (2022); note - thousands of biduns (stateless Arabs) are descendants of nomadic tribes who were not officially registered when national borders were established, while others migrated to Saudi Arabia in search of jobs; some have temporary identification cards that must be renewed every five years, but their rights remain restricted; most Palestinians have only legal resident status; some naturalized Yemenis were made stateless after being stripped of their passports when Yemen backed Iraq in its invasion of Kuwait in 1990; Saudi women cannot pass their citizenship on to their children, so if they marry a non-national, their children risk statelessness

Space agency/agencies

Saudi Space Agency (SSA; elevated to agency level from previous Saudi Space Commission or SSC, which was established in 2018); King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST; established 1977); KACST includes the Space and Aeronautics Research Institute (SARI; established 2000) (2024)

Space program overview

has an ambitious and growing space program; manufactures and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites; develops a range of satellite subsystems and payload technologies; SSA's missions also include accelerating economic diversification, enhancing research and development, and raising private sector participation in the global space industry; is the main founder and financier of the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat; launched in 1976; headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the primary satellite communications service provider for over 170 million persons in the Arab world); cooperates with the space agencies and industries of a wide range of countries, including those of Belarus, China, Egypt, the European Space Agency and its member states (particularly France, Germany, Greece, and Hungary), India, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Ukraine, the UAE, the UK, and the US; member of the Arab Space Cooperation Group (established by the UAE in 2019 and includes Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, and Sudan) (2024)

note

note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide

Terrorist group(s)

Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); al-Qa’ida; al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

note

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

563.45 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

45.47 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

57.16 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Climate

harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

Environment - current issues

desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills; air pollution; waste management

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Land use

agricultural land

80.7% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 1.5% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 79.1% (2018 est.)

forest

0.5% (2018 est.)

other

18.8% (2018 est.)

Major aquifers

Arabian Aquifer System

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

2.4 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

21.2 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial

1.4 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

municipal

3.39 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.69% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

85% of total population (2023)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

16,125,701 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually

2,418,855 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

15% (2015 est.)