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. TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen
Geographic coordinates
25 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references
Middle East
Area
total : 2,149,690 sq km
land: 2,149,690 sq km
water: 0 sq km
comparison ranking: total 14
Area – comparative
slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Area comparison map:
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 1,307 km
Coastline
2,640 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: not specified
Climate
harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Terrain
mostly sandy desert
Elevation
highest point: As Sarawat range, 3,000 m
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
mean elevation: 665 m
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Land use
agricultural land: 80.8% (2022 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 79.1% (2022 est.)
forest: 0.5% (2022 est.)
other: 18.8% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
7,575 sq km (2022)
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Major aquifers
Arabian Aquifer System
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
Population
total: 36,544,431 (2024 est.)
male: 20,700,838
female: 15,843,593
comparison rankings: total 41; female 49; male 36
Nationality
noun: Saudi(s)
adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
Ethnic groups
Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
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.
Arabic audio sample:
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)
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)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 37.5 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 31.5 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 6.1 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 16.5 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 32.4 years (2024 est.)
male: 34.6 years
female: 29.3 years
comparison ranking: total 115
Population growth rate
1.68% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 55
Birth rate
13.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 125
Death rate
3.5 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 220
Net migration rate
6.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 12
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
Urbanization
urban population: 85% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.69% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
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)
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.)
Maternal mortality ratio
7 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 162
Infant mortality rate
total: 11.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 12.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.5 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 113
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 77.2 years (2024 est.)
male: 75.6 years
female: 78.8 years
comparison ranking: total population 97
Total fertility rate
1.87 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 130
Gross reproduction rate
0.91 (2024 est.)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 98.4% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
total: 98.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved:
urban: 1.6% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
total: 1.4% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
6% of GDP (2021)
12.8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
3.41 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Hospital bed density
2.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)
total: 99.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved:
urban: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)
total: 0.3% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
35.4% (2016)
comparison ranking: 14
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.)
comparison ranking: total 185
Tobacco use
total: 17.6% (2025 est.)
male: 28.3% (2025 est.)
female: 2% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 87
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.5% (2020)
comparison ranking: 74
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
63.2% (2023 est.)
Education expenditure
5.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 62
Literacy
total population: 98% (2020 est.)
male: 99% (2020 est.)
female: 96% (2020 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 17 years (2022 est.)
male: 16 years (2022 est.)
female: 18 years (2022 est.)
Environment
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
Climate
harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Land use
agricultural land: 80.8% (2022 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 79.1% (2022 est.)
forest: 0.5% (2022 est.)
other: 18.8% (2022 est.)
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.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 8
Particulate matter emissions
60.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
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.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 3.39 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 1.4 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 21.2 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
2.4 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Geoparks
total global geoparks and regional networks: 2 (2025)
global geoparks and regional networks: North Riyadh; Salma (2025)
Government
Country 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)
Government type
absolute monarchy
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
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal for municipal elections
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
Political parties
none
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
Independence
23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
National holiday
Saudi National Day (Unification of the Kingdom), 23 September (1932)
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 hoist side; design dates to the early 20th century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family who 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 proper direction on both sides
note: the only national flag that has an inscription as its principal design; one of three national flags that have different sides — the others are Moldova and Paraguay
National symbol(s)
palm tree over two crossed swords
National color(s)
green, white
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
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$2.213 trillion (2024 est.)
$2.173 trillion (2023 est.)
$2.161 trillion (2022 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 17
Real GDP growth rate
1.8% (2024 est.)
0.5% (2023 est.)
12% (2022 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 153
Real GDP per capita
$62,700 (2024 est.)
$64,500 (2023 est.)
$67,200 (2022 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 29
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.238 trillion (2024 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.7% (2024 est.)
2.3% (2023 est.)
2.5% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 41
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
comparison rankings: services 162; industry 13; agriculture 144
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 45% (2024 est.)
government consumption: 21.4% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 28.7% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories: 1.4% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services: 29.2% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services: -25.6% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
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
Industrial production growth rate
-1.3% (2024 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 153
Labor force
17.168 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 39
Unemployment rate
3.9% (2024 est.)
4.1% (2023 est.)
5.6% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 61
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
comparison ranking: total 91
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
Budget
revenues: $398.023 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $315.007 billion (2022 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Taxes and other revenues
7.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 137
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
comparison ranking: 176
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
comparison ranking: 28
Exports – partners
China 21%, India 12%, Japan 12%, USA 6%, UAE 4% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
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
comparison ranking: 28
Imports – partners
China 21%, UAE 8%, USA 7%, India 6%, Germany 5% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
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
comparison ranking: 7
Exchange rates
Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
3.75 (2024 est.)
3.75 (2023 est.)
3.75 (2022 est.)
3.75 (2021 est.)
3.75 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 119.62 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 383.512 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 352 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 308 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 38.23 billion kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 202; imports 102; exports 84; consumption 11; installed generating capacity 13
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 99.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 0.4% of total installed capacity (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.)
Energy consumption per capita
349.692 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 7
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 6.788 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 23
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 52.5 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 132 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 33
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
Internet country code
.sa
Internet users
percent of population: 100% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 14.5 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 17
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
HZ
Airports
90 (2025)
comparison ranking: 61
Heliports
69 (2025)
comparison ranking: 29
Railways
total: 5,410 km (2016)
standard gauge: 5,410 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings)
Merchant marine
total: 433 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 9, container ship 1, general cargo 20, oil tanker 55, other 348
comparison ranking: total 46
Ports
total ports: 16 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 1
small: 7
very small: 8
ports with oil terminals: 10
key ports: Dammam, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Ju Aymah Oil Terminal, Ras Tannurah, Ras Al Khafji, Ras Al Mishab
Military and Security
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: 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 off 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 expenditures
7.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
7% of GDP (2023 est.)
6.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
7% of GDP (2021 est.)
8% of GDP (2020 est.)
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, 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: 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
men (17-40) and women (21-40) may volunteer for military service; no conscription (2023)
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
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 – note
Saudi Arabia’s security concerns include border security, cyberattacks, instability and Houthi (Ansarallah) rebels 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, 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
in 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 (Ansarallah); 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 (2025)
Space
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: 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
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Terrorist 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
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 4,355 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 70,000 (2024 est.)
