Statistics Saudi Arabia 
Saudi Arabia in the World
Saudi Arabia - Introduction 2015
top of pageBackground:
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. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al SAUD (Ibn Saud) 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. King SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz ascended to the throne in 2015 and placed the first next-generation prince MUHAMMAD BIN NAYIF bin Abd al-Aziz in the line of succession as Crown Prince. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990 Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong on-going campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism.
King ABDALLAH from 2005 to 2015 incrementally modernized the Kingdom - driven by personal ideology and political pragmatism - through a series of social and economic initiatives including expanding employment and social opportunities for women attracting foreign investment increasing the role of the private sector in the economy and discouraging businesses from hiring foreign workers. The Arab Spring inspired protests - increasing in number since 2011 but usually small in size - over primarily domestic issues among Saudi Arabia's majority Sunni population. Riyadh has taken a cautious but firm approach by arresting some protesters but releasing most of them quickly and by using its state-sponsored clerics to counter political and Islamist activism. In addition Saudi Arabia has seen protests among Shias in the Eastern Province who have protested primarily against the detention of political prisoners endemic discrimination and Bahraini and Saudi Government actions in Bahrain. Protests are met by a strong police presence with some arrests but not the level of bloodshed seen in protests elsewhere in the region.
In response to the unrest King ABDALLAH in February and March 2011 announced a series of benefits for Saudi citizens including funds to build affordable housing salary increases for government workers and unemployment entitlements. To promote increased political participation the government held elections nationwide in September 2011 for half the members of 285 municipal councils - a body that holds little influence in the Saudi Government. Also in September 2011 King ABDALLAH announced that women will be allowed to run for and vote in future municipal elections - first held in 2005 - and serve as full members of the advisory Consultative Council. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds about 16% of the world's proven oil reserves. 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. A burgeoning population aquifer depletion and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are ongoing governmental concerns.
King ABDALLAH from 2005 to 2015 incrementally modernized the Kingdom - driven by personal ideology and political pragmatism - through a series of social and economic initiatives including expanding employment and social opportunities for women attracting foreign investment increasing the role of the private sector in the economy and discouraging businesses from hiring foreign workers. The Arab Spring inspired protests - increasing in number since 2011 but usually small in size - over primarily domestic issues among Saudi Arabia's majority Sunni population. Riyadh has taken a cautious but firm approach by arresting some protesters but releasing most of them quickly and by using its state-sponsored clerics to counter political and Islamist activism. In addition Saudi Arabia has seen protests among Shias in the Eastern Province who have protested primarily against the detention of political prisoners endemic discrimination and Bahraini and Saudi Government actions in Bahrain. Protests are met by a strong police presence with some arrests but not the level of bloodshed seen in protests elsewhere in the region.
In response to the unrest King ABDALLAH in February and March 2011 announced a series of benefits for Saudi citizens including funds to build affordable housing salary increases for government workers and unemployment entitlements. To promote increased political participation the government held elections nationwide in September 2011 for half the members of 285 municipal councils - a body that holds little influence in the Saudi Government. Also in September 2011 King ABDALLAH announced that women will be allowed to run for and vote in future municipal elections - first held in 2005 - and serve as full members of the advisory Consultative Council. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds about 16% of the world's proven oil reserves. 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. A burgeoning population aquifer depletion and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are ongoing governmental concerns.
Area
Total: 2,149,690 km²
Land: 2,149,690 km²
Water: 0 km²
Rank: 13
Comparative: slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Land boundaries
Total: 4,272 km
Border countries: (7) Iraq 811 km; Jordan 731 km; Kuwait 221 km; Oman 658 km; Qatar 87 km; UAE 457 km; Yemen 1307 km
Land use
Agricultural land: 80.7%
arable land: 1.5%
permanent crops: 0.1%
permanent pasture: 79.1%
permanent crops: 0.1%
permanent pasture: 79.1%
Forest: 0.5%
Other: 18.8%
Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms
Volcanism: 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
Geography
Note: Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the world without a river; extensive coastlines on the Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through the Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
Saudi Arabia - People 2015
top of pagePopulation: 27,752,316
Note: immigrants make up more than 30% of the total population according to UN data (July 2015 est.)
Rank: 47
Growth rate: 1.46% (2015 est.)
Growth rate rank: 81
Below poverty line: NA%
Religions: Muslim (official; citizens are 85-90% Sunni and 10-15% Shia) other (includes Eastern Orthodox Protestant Roman Catholic Jewish Hindu Buddhist and Sikh) (2012 est.)
Note: despite having a large expatriate community of various faiths 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)
Age structure
0-14 years: 27.07%
15-24 years: 19.11%
25-54 years: 45.9%
55-64 years: 4.68%
65 years and over: 3.24% (2015 est.)
Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 45.9%
Youth dependency ratio: 41.7%
Elderly dependency ratio: 4.2%
Potential support ratio: 24%
Urbanization
Urban population: 83.1% of total population
Rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change
Major urban areas
Population: RIYADH (capital) 6.195 million; Jeddah 4.076 million; Mecca 1.771 million; Medina 1.28 million; Ad Dammam 1.064 million (2015)
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
International agreements party to: Biodiversity Climate Change Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol Desertification Endangered Species Hazardous Wastes Law of the Sea Marine Dumping Ozone Layer Protection Ship Pollution
International agreements signed but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Sex ratio
At birth: 1.05 male/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male/female
15-24 years: 1.15 male/female
25-54 years: 1.32 male/female
55-64 years: 1.21 male/female
65 years and over: 1.05 male/female
Total population: 1.19 male/female
Infant mortality rate
Total: 14.09 deaths/1000 live births
Male: 16.16 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 11.9 deaths/1000 live births
Rank: 108
Drinking water source:
rural: 3% of population
total: 3% of population (2015 est.)
total: 3% of population (2015 est.)
Unimproved: urban: 3% of population
Sanitation facility access:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
Saudi Arabia - Government 2015
top of pageCountry name
Conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Conventional short form: Saudi Arabia
Local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Administrative divisions: 13 provinces (mintaqat singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah (Northern Border) Al Jawf Al Madinah (Medina) Al Qasim Ar Riyad (Riyadh) Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern) 'Asir Ha'il Jazan Makkah (Mecca) Najran Tabuk
Constitution: 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 tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (2015)
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
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
Executive branch
Chief of state: King and Prime Minister SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud ; Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN NAYIF bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (born 30 August 1959); Crown Prince and Second Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (born 31 August 1985); note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government
Head of government: King and Prime Minister SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud ; Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN NAYIF bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (born 30 August 1959); Crown Prince and Second Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (born 31 August 1985)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch every 4 years and includes many royal family members
Electionsappointments: none; the monarchy is hereditary; note - an Allegiance Commission created by royal decree in October 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes to a role in selecting future Saudi kings
Legislative branch
Description: unicameral Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura ; note - in early 2013 the monarch granted women 30 seats on the Council
Judicial branch
Highest court: High Court
Judge selection and term of office: the High Court chief and chiefs of the High Court Circuits appointed by royal decree following 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; first-degree courts composed of general criminal personal status and commercial courts and the Labor Court; hierarchy of administrative courts
Note: in 2005 former King Abdullah issued decrees approving an overhaul of the judicial system and which were incorporated in the Judiciary Law of 2007; changes include the establishment of a High Court and special commercial labor and administrative courts
International organization participation: ABEDA AfDB (nonregional member) AFESD AMF BIS 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 UNRWA UNWTO UPU WCO WFTU (NGOs) WHO WIPO WMO WTO
Diplomatic representation
In the us chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah bin Faysal bin Turki bin Abdallah bin Saud Abu Hala
In the us chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW Washington DC 20,037
In the us telephone: [1] 342-3,800
In the us FAX: [1] 944-3,113
In the us consulate general: Houston Los Angeles New York
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph William WESTPHAL
From the us embassy: Collector Road M Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh
From the us mailing address: American Embassy Unit 61,307 APO AE 9,803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94,309 Riyadh 11,693
From the us telephone: [966] 488-3,800
From the us FAX: [966] 488-7,360
From the us consulate general: Dhahran Jiddah
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: 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
National anthem
Name: 'Aash Al Maleek'
Lyrics and music: Ibrahim KHAFAJI/Abdul Rahman al-KHATEEB
Note: music adopted 1947 lyrics adopted 1984
Saudi Arabia - Economy 2015
top of pageEconomy overview: Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses about 16% of the world's proven petroleum reserves ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 80% of budget revenues 45% of GDP and 90% of export earnings. Saudi Arabia is encouraging the growth of the private sector in order to diversify its economy and to employ more Saudi nationals. Diversification efforts are focusing on power generation telecommunications natural gas exploration and petrochemical sectors. Over 6 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy particularly in the oil and service sectors while Riyadh is struggling to reduce unemployment among its own nationals. Saudi officials are particularly focused on employing its large youth population which generally lacks the education and technical skills the private sector needs. In 2014 the Kingdom ran its first budget deficit since 2009 and faces budget deficits for the foreseeable future because it requires an oil price greater than $100 per barrel to balance its budget. Although the Kingdom can finance high deficits for several years by drawing down its considerable foreign assets or borrowing it probably will begin to reduce capital spending if oil prices stay low through the next year.
Real gdp purchasing power parity:
$1.61 trillion (2014 est.)
$1.556 trillion (2013 est.)
$1.515 trillion (2012 est.)
$1.556 trillion (2013 est.)
$1.515 trillion (2012 est.)
Note: data are in 2014 US dollars
Rank: 15
Real gdp per capita:
$52,300 (2014 est.)
$50,600 (2013 est.)
$49,200 (2012 est.)
$50,600 (2013 est.)
$49,200 (2012 est.)
Note: data are in 2014 US dollars
Rank: 20
Gross national saving:
38.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
44.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
48.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
44.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
48.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
Rank: 10
Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 32.5%
Government consumption: 26.4%
Investment in fixed capital: 24.3%
Investment in inventories: 3.5%
Exports of goods and services: 47.5%
Imports of goods and services: -34.2%: (2014 est.)
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
Labor force: 11.22 million
Note: about 80% of the labor force is non-national
Rank: 51
By occupation agriculture: 6.7%
By occupation industry: 21.4%
By occupation services: 71.9%
Budget
Revenues: $278.9 billion
Expenditures: $293.3 billion
Surplus or deficit: -1.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 95
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.8% (31 December 2014 est.)
6.7% (31 December 2013 est.)
6.7% (31 December 2013 est.)
Rank: 123
Stock of narrow money:
$304.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$266.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$266.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
Rank: 16
Stock of broad money:
$461.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$412 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$412 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
Rank: 25
Stock of domestic credit:
$-38.16 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$-58.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$-58.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
Rank: 191
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$373.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
$338.9 billion (31 December 2011)
$353.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
$338.9 billion (31 December 2011)
$353.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Rank: 26
Exports:
$342.3 billion (2014 est.)
$375.9 billion (2013 est.)
$375.9 billion (2013 est.)
Rank: 17
Commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 90% (2012 est.)
Partners: China 13.3% Japan 13% US 12.9% South Korea 10% India 8.9% Singapore 4% (2014)
Imports:
$158.5 billion (2014 est.)
$153.3 billion (2013 est.)
$153.3 billion (2013 est.)
Rank: 31
Commodities: machinery and equipment foodstuffs chemicals motor vehicles textiles
Partners: China 13.3% US 12.1% India 8.3% Germany 6.5% South Korea 5.4% Japan 4.9% (2014)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$660.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
$732.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$732.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Rank: 4
Stock of direct foreign investment at home:
$242.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$234.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$234.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
Rank: 25
Stock of direct foreign investment abroad:
$32.46 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$27.06 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$27.06 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
Rank: 48
Exchange rates:
Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar -
3.75 (2014 est.)
3.75 (2013 est.)
3.75 (2012 est.)
3.75 (2011 est.)
3.75 (2010 est.)
3.75 (2014 est.)
3.75 (2013 est.)
3.75 (2012 est.)
3.75 (2011 est.)
3.75 (2010 est.)
Saudi Arabia - Energy 2015
top of pageElectricity
Production: 255.4 billion kWh (2012 est.)
Production rank: 16
Consumption: 231.6 billion kWh (2012 est.)
Consumption rank: 16
Exports: 0 kWh (2013 est.)
Exports rank: 189
Imports: 0 kWh (2013 est.)
Imports rank: 195
Installed generating capacity: 53.62 million kW (2012 est.)
Installed generating capacity rank: 21
Generation sources fossil fuels: 99.9% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels rank: 37
Generation sources nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Generation sources nuclear rank: 174
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity rank: 196
Generation sources other renewable sources: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Generation sources other renewable sources rank: 118
Petroleum
Petroleum total petroleum production: 9.735 million bbl/day (2014 est.)
Petroleum total petroleum production rank: 2
Crude oil exports: 7.658 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
Crude oil exports rank: 1
Crude oil imports: 0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
Crude oil imports rank: 119
Crude oil proven reserves: 268.3 billion bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
Crude oil proven reserves rank: 2
Refined petroleum
Products production: 1.971 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
Products production rank: 10
Products consumption: 2.961 million bbl/day (2013 est.)
Products consumption rank: 8
Products exports: 1.524 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
Products exports rank: 6
Products imports: 338,800 bbl/day (2012 est.)
Products imports rank: 20
Natural gas
Production: 102.4 billion m³ (2014 est.)
Production rank: 9
Consumption: 102.4 billion m³ (2014 est.)
Consumption rank: 8
Exports: 0 m³ (2014 est.)
Exports rank: 171
Imports: 0 m³ (2014 est.)
Imports rank: 127
Proven reserves: 8.235 trillion m³ (1 January 2014 est.)
Proven reserves rank: 6
Carbon dioxide emissions
From consumption of energy: 582.7 million Mt (2012 est.)
From consumption of energy rank: 10
Saudi Arabia - Communication 2015
top of pageTelephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 3.92 million
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14
Fixed lines rank: 42
Mobile cellular total: 52.7 million
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 193
Mobile cellular rank: 29
Telephone system
General assessment: modern system including a combination of extensive microwave radio relays coaxial cables and fiber-optic cables
Domestic: mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly
International: country code - 966; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe and for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks providing connectivity to Asia Middle East Europe and US; 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) (2011)
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 (2007)
Saudi Arabia - Military 2015
top of pageMilitary service age and obligation: 17 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
Saudi Arabia - Transportation 2015
top of pageAirports: 214 (2013)
Rank: 26
With paved runways total: 82
With paved runways over 3047 m: 33
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 16
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 27
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 2
With paved runways under 914 m: 4
With unpaved runways total: 132
With unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 7
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 72
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 37
With unpaved runways: 16 (2013)
Pipelines: condensate 209 km; gas 2,940 km; liquid petroleum gas 1183 km; oil 5,117 km; refined products 1151 km (2013)
Merchant marine
Total: 72
By type: cargo 1 chemical tanker 25 container 4 liquefied gas 2 passenger/cargo 10 petroleum tanker 20 refrigerated cargo 3 roll on/roll off 7
Foreign owned: 15
Registered in other countries: 55 (2010)
Rank: 61
Ports and terminals
Major seaport: Ad Dammam Al Jubayl Jeddah Yanbu al Bahr
Container port: Ad Dammam (1,492,315) Jeddah (4,010,448)
Saudi Arabia - Transnational issues 2015
top of pageDisputes international: Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the now fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran; Saudi Arabia claims Egyptian-administered islands of Tiran and Sanafir
Refugees and internally displaced persons
Refugees: 30,000 (Yemen) (2015)
Stateless persons: 70,000 ; 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
Illicit drugs: regularly enforces the death penalty for drug traffickers with foreigners being convicted and executed disproportionately; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement
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