Saudi Arabia
Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaAl Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
absolute monarchyIndependence 23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
Saudi Arabia as the 2025 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 147 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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.
Geography
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen
19 fieldsLand useshare of 2,149,690 sq km
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Population distribution
- historically a population that was mostly nomadic or semi-nomadic, the Saudi population has become more settled since oil was discovered in the 1930s;
- most of the country's population is now 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
Natural hazards
frequent sand and dust storms; volcanism: little activity in the past few centuries, despite many volcanic formations; 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 allow for considerable shipping (especially of crude oil) through the Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
People and Society
34 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2024 est.)
Per 1,000 population(2025 est.)
Male · female
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.
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: 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)
Population distribution
- historically a population that was mostly nomadic or semi-nomadic, the Saudi population has become more settled since oil was discovered in the 1930s;
- most of the country's population is now 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
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- 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
- total population:
- 1.31 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
- total:
- 11.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
- male:
- 12.8 deaths/1,000 live births
- female:
- 10.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Alcohol consumption per capita
- total:
- 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- beer:
- 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- wine:
- 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- spirits:
- 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- other alcohols:
- 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Environment
12 fieldsLand use(2023 est.)
Environmental issues
- desertification;
- depletion of underground water resources;
- limited freshwater resources;
- coastal pollution from oil spills;
- air pollution;
- waste management
International environmental 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
Urbanization
- urban population:
- 85% of total population (2023)
- rate of urbanization:
- 1.69% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
656.511 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- from coal and metallurgical coke:
- 384,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- from petroleum and other liquids:
- 418.326 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- from consumed natural gas:
- 237.801 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Methane emissions
- energy:
- 1,743.8 kt (2022-2024 est.)
- agriculture:
- 162.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
- waste:
- 927.6 kt (2019-2021 est.)
- other:
- 28.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually:
- 16.126 million tons (2024 est.)
- percent of municipal solid waste recycled:
- 18.8% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal
- municipal:
- 3.392 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- industrial:
- 1.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- agricultural:
- 21.2 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Geoparks
- total global geoparks and regional networks:
- 2 (2025)
- global geoparks and regional networks:
- North Riyadh; Salma (2025)
Government
Absolute monarchy; King SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 23 January 2015); Crown Prince and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 27 September 2022)
23 fieldsCountry 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
- etymology:
- named after the ruling dynasty of the country, the House of Saud;
- the name Arabia can be traced back at least as far as the ancient Romans, who referred to the peninsula as "Arabia Felix" (Arabia the Fortunate)
Capital
- name:
- Riyadh
- geographic coordinates:
- 24 39 N, 46 42 E
- time difference:
- UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- etymology:
- the name derives from the Arabic word riyadh , meaning "gardens;" the city was built around a small oasis
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
Legal system
Islamic (sharia) system with some elements of Egyptian, French, and customary law; commercial disputes handled by special committees
Constitution
- 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
- amendment process:
- 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
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 SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 23 January 2015)
- head of government:
- Crown Prince and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 27 September 2022)
- cabinet:
- Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch every 4 years and includes many royal family members
- election/appointment process:
- none;
- the monarchy is hereditary;
- an Allegiance Council created by royal decree in 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes who have a voice in selecting future Saudi kings
Legislative branch
- legislature name:
- Shura Council (Majlis Ash-Shura)
- legislative structure:
- unicameral
- number of seats:
- 151 (all appointed)
- scope of elections:
- full renewal
- term in office:
- 4 years
- most recent election date:
- 9/2/2024
- percentage of women in chamber:
- 19.9%
- expected date of next election:
- August 2028
Judicial branch
- highest court(s):
- High Court (consists of the court chief; 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 on 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
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Reema Bint Bandar Bin Sultan AL SAUD (since 8 July 2019)
- chancery:
- 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 342-3800
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 295-3625
- email address and website:
- [email protected]; https://www.saudiembassy.net/
- consulate(s) general:
- Houston, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Alison DILWORTH (since January 2025)
- embassy:
- Riyadh 11564
- mailing address:
- 6300 Riyadh Place, Washington DC 20521-6300
- telephone:
- [966] (11) 835-4000
- FAX:
- [966] (11) 488-7360
- email address and website:
- [email protected]; https://sa.usembassy.gov/
- consulate(s) general:
- Dhahran, Jeddah
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
Flag
- description:
- green (traditional Islamic color) with the Shahada, or Muslim creed, in large white Arabic script that translates as, "There is no god but God;
- Muhammad is the messenger of God;" the text is above a white horizontal saber pointing to the left
- history:
- design dates to the early 20th century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family that established the kingdom in 1932;
- the flag has different sides so that the text reads correctly from right to left and the saber points in the same direction on both sides
note 1: the only national flag that has an inscription as its primary design
note 2: one of three national flags that differ on each side -- the others are Moldova and Paraguay
National anthem(s)
- title:
- "Aash Al Maleek" (Long Live Our Beloved King)
- lyrics/music:
- Ibrahim KHAFAJI/Abdul Rahman al-KHATEEB
- history:
- music adopted 1947, lyrics adopted 1984
National heritage
- total World Heritage Sites:
- 7 (7 cultural, 1 natural)
- 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)
Economy
28 fieldsTrading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP · (2024 est.)
Budget(2023 est.)
Economic overview
- high-income, oil-based Middle Eastern economy;
- OPEC founding member;
- Vision 2030 strategy prioritizing economic diversification, increased private sector involvement, and projects funded by sovereign wealth fund and foreign investment;
- young labor force;
- falling but significant poverty rate despite lack of official statistics
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture:
- 2.5% (2024 est.)
- industry:
- 44.8% (2024 est.)
- services:
- 47.2% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Agricultural products
milk, dates, chicken, wheat, tomatoes, watermelons, potatoes, olives, eggs, onions (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
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
17.168 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate
3.9% (2024 est.) · 4.1% (2023 est.) · 5.6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total:
- 13.8% (2024 est.)
- male:
- 9.8% (2024 est.)
- female:
- 23.8% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Average household expenditures
- on food:
- 20.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
- on alcohol and tobacco:
- 0.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Remittances
0% of GDP (2024 est.) · 0% of GDP (2023 est.) · 0% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Taxes and other revenues
7.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Current account balance
-$5.685 billion (2024 est.) · $35.133 billion (2023 est.) · $150.353 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports
$360.897 billion (2024 est.) · $368.731 billion (2023 est.) · $445.881 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, plastics, alcohols, ships (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$317.012 billion (2024 est.) · $289.91 billion (2023 est.) · $258.371 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - commodities
cars, refined petroleum, gold, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicine (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$463.87 billion (2024 est.) · $457.949 billion (2023 est.) · $478.232 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Exchange rates
Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar - 3.75 (2024 est.) · 3.75 (2023 est.) · 3.75 (2022 est.) · 3.75 (2021 est.) · 3.75 (2020 est.)
Energy
7 fieldsElectrification% of population · (2022 est.)
Installed generating capacity, 119.62 million kW(2023 est.)
Coal
- consumption:
- 66,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
- exports:
- 500 metric tons (2023 est.)
- imports:
- 223,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
- total petroleum production:
- 11.174 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
- refined petroleum consumption:
- 3.524 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
- crude oil estimated reserves:
- 258.6 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
- production:
- 121.219 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
- consumption:
- 121.219 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
- proven reserves:
- 9.423 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Communications
6 fieldsPer 100 inhabitants(2023 est.)
Broadcast media
- state-controlled broadcast media;
- state-run TV operates 4 networks;
- major market for pan-Arab satellite TV broadcasters;
- state-run radio with several networks;
- multiple international broadcasters available
Transportation
6 fieldsMerchant marine, 433 ships by type(2023)
Military and Security
6 fieldsMilitary 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:
- Facilities Security Forces, Public Security Forces (police), General Directorate of Border Guard
- State Security Presidency (SSP):
- General Directorate of Investigation (Mabahith), Special Security Forces, Special Emergency Forces (2025)
note 1: the regular armed forces under the Ministry of Defense are responsible for external defense, although they can be called for domestic security duties if needed
note 2 : the SANG (also known as the White Army) is a land force comprised of tribal elements loyal to the House of Saud; it is responsible for internal security,
protecting the royal family, guarding against military coups, defending strategic facilities and resources, and providing security for the cities of Mecca and Medina; it may also assist the regular armed forces in combat operations
note 3: 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
approximately 250,000 active Saudi Armed Forces, including 125,000 under the Ministry of Defense and 125,000 in the National Guard (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the inventory of the Saudi military forces, including the SANG, is comprised of imported modern armaments;
- major suppliers include Canada, China, France, Spain, the UK, and the US;
- Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest importers of arms (2025)
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 service age and obligation
voluntary military service for men (17-40) and women (typically 21-40, although maximum age may vary by role); no conscription (2025)
Military - note
Saudi Arabia's security concerns include border security, cyberattacks, instability in Yemen, international terrorism, maritime security, and regional rivals such as Iran and Turkey
Saudi 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, and 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, Pakistan, the UK, and fellow Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members; it is a member of the Peninsula Shield Forces, a joint military force established by the GCC countries with the aim of maintaining security and stability in the region; the force was established in 1982, and its leadership is based in Saudi Arabia (2025)
Space
3 fieldsSpace 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) (2024)
Space program overview
- has a national space strategy (Vision 2030) that seeks to grow its domestic space industry and use the space sector to accelerate economic diversification, enhance scientific research and development, and raise private-sector participation in the global space industry;
- manufactures and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites;
- develops a range of satellite subsystems and payload technologies;
- is the main founder and financier of the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat, launched in 1976 and headquartered in Riyadh);
- cooperates with the space agencies and industries of a wide range of countries, including those of Belarus, China, Egypt, the ESA 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 (2025)
Key space-program milestones
- 1985 - first communications satellite (Arabsat-1A) built and launched by European commercial companies; first Saudi astronaut in space on US Space Shuttle
- 2004 - first domestically built, experimental remote sensing (RS) satellite (SaudiSat-2) launched by Russia
- 2017-2019 - contributed to China’s robotic spacecraft mission (Chang’e-4) to the far side of the Moon
- 2021 - domestically built maritime-tracking satellite (Shaheen Sat) launched by Russia; began participating in Russia's astronaut training program
- 2022 - signed US-led Artemis Accords on space and lunar exploration
- 2023 - sent two astronauts, including first Saudi woman, to the International Space Station on a US commercial spacecraft
Terrorism
1 fieldTerrorist group(s)
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); al-Qa’ida 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
Transnational Issues
1 fieldRefugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees:
- 4,355 (2024 est.)
- stateless persons:
- 70,000 (2024 est.)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Saudi Arabia.” The World Factbook 2025. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/saudi-arabia.