2010 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. 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. A male descendent of Ibn Saud, his son ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz, rules the country today as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. 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 has continued the cautious reform program begun when he was crown prince. To promote increased political participation, the government held elections nationwide from February through April 2005 for half the members of 179 municipal councils. In December 2005, King ABDALLAH completed the process by appointing the remaining members of the advisory municipal councils. The king instituted an Inter-Faith Dialogue initiative in 2008 to encourage religious tolerance on a global level; in February 2009, he reshuffled the cabinet, which led to more moderates holding ministerial and judicial positions, and appointed the first female to the cabinet. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds more than 20% 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 December 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the kingdom. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoing governmental concerns.

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 extremes

highest point

Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m

lowest point

Persian Gulf 0 m

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

Environment - 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 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

705 cu m/yr (2000)

total

17.32 cu km/yr (10%/1%/89%)

Geographic coordinates

25 00 N, 45 00 E

Geography - note

extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal

Irrigated land

16,200 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

border countries

Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km

total

4,431 km

Land use

arable land

1.67%

other

98.24% (2005)

permanent crops

0.09%

Location

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

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

18 nm

continental shelf

not specified

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

frequent sand and dust storms

volcanism

Despite Saudi Arabia's 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

Terrain

mostly uninhabited, sandy desert

Total renewable water resources

2.4 cu km (1997)

Age structure

0-14 years: 38% (male 5,557,453/female 5,340,614) 15-64 years: 59.5% (male 9,608,032/female 7,473,543) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 363,241/female 343,750) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

19.43 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

3.34 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

5.7% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.01% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

female

14.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

19.19 deaths/1,000 live births

total

16.73 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official)

Life expectancy at birth

female

75.9 years (2010 est.)

male

71.93 years

total population

73.87 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

70.8% (2003 est.)

male

84.7%

total population

78.8%

Median age

female

23.4 years (2010 est.)

male

26 years

total

24.9 years

Nationality

adjective

Saudi or Saudi Arabian

noun

Saudi(s)

Net migration rate

-0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

25,731,776 note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

1.548% (2010 est.)

Religions

Muslim 100%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

13 years (2008)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.27 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.17 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.35 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

82% of total population (2008)

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, Jizan, Makkah (Mecca), Najran, Tabuk

Capital

geographic coordinates

24 38 N, 46 43 E

name

Riyadh

time difference

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

Constitution

governed according to Islamic law; the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was promulgated by royal decree in 1992

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador James B. SMITH

consulate(s) general

Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

embassy

Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh

FAX

[966] (1) 488-7360

International Mail

P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693

mailing address

American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307;

telephone

[966] (1) 488-3800

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador Adil al-Ahmad al-JUBAYR

consulate(s) general

Houston, Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 944-3113

telephone

[1] (202) 342-3800

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch every four years and includes many royal family members (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government

elections

none; the monarchy is hereditary; note - an Allegiance Commission created by royal decree in October 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes that will play a role in selecting future Saudi kings, but the system will not take effect until after Crown Prince Sultan becomes king

head of government

King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud; Second Deputy Prime Minister NAYIF bin Abd Al-Aziz Al Saud

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: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Moldova and Paraguay

Government type

monarchy

Independence

23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-20, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, 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, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Council of Justice

Legal system

based on sharia law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch to serve four-year terms); note - though the Council of Ministers announced in October 2003 its intent to introduce elections for a third of the Majlis al-Shura incrementally over a period of four to five years, to date no such elections have been held or announced

National anthem

lyrics/music

Ibrahim KHAFAJI/Abdul Rahman al-KHATEEB note: music adopted 1947, lyrics adopted 1984

name

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

National holiday

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

Ansar Al Marah (supports women's rights)

other

gas companies; religious groups

Suffrage

21 years of age; male

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk

Central bank discount rate

2.5% (31 December 2008) NA% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA%

Current account balance

$52.03 billion (2010 est.) $22.77 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$82.92 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $72.77 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Economy - overview

Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses about 20% 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. Almost 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. Riyadh has substantially boosted spending on job training and education, most recently with the opening of the King Abdallah University of Science and Technology - Saudi Arabia's first co-educational university. As part of its effort to attract foreign investment, Saudi Arabia acceded to the WTO in December 2005 after many years of negotiations. The government has begun establishing six "economic cities" in different regions of the country to promote foreign investment and plans to spend $373 billion between 2010 and 2014 on social development and infrastructure projects to advance Saudi Arabia's economic development.

Electricity - consumption

165.1 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

179.1 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar - 3.75 (2010), 3.75 (2009), 3.75 (2008), 3.745 (2007), 3.745 (2006)

Exports

$235.3 billion (2010 est.) $192.3 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products 90%

Exports - partners

Japan 15.33%, South Korea 12.71%, US 12.2%, China 10.38%, India 7.12%, Taiwan 4.54%, Singapore 4.25% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

2.7%

industry

61.9%

services

35.4% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$24,200 (2010 est.) $23,700 (2009 est.) $24,000 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.8% (2010 est.) 0.1% (2009 est.) 4.3% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$434.4 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$622.5 billion (2010 est.) $599.7 billion (2009 est.) $599.1 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$99.17 billion (2010 est.) $87.1 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles

Imports - partners

US 12.32%, China 12.06%, Germany 7.67%, Japan 6.15%, South Korea 5.32%, India 4.99%, UK 4.72%, France 4.05% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

3.1% (2010 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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.7% (2010 est.) 5.1% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

24.5% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

7.337 million note: about 80% of the labor force is non-national (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

6.7%

industry

21.4%

services

71.9% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$318.8 billion (31 December 2009) $246.3 billion (31 December 2008) $515.1 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

77.1 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

77.1 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

7.461 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

2.43 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

8.728 million bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

79,250 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

9.764 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

264.6 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

16.7% of GDP (2010 est.) 22.6% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$456.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $410.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$286.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $274.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$18 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $11.41 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$204.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $167 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$11.24 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.248 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$166.9 billion (31 December 2010 est) $139.1 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

10.8% (2010 est.) 10.5% (2009 est.) note: data are for Saudi males only (local bank estimates; some estimates range as high as 25%)

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)

Internet country code

.sa

Internet hosts

488,598 (2010)

Internet users

9.774 million (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly

general assessment

modern system including a combination of extensive microwave radio relays, coaxial cables, and fiber-optic cables

international

country code - 966; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) 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) (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

4.171 million (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

44.864 million (2009)

Airports

217 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

81 over 3,047 m: 33 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

136 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 71 914 to 1,523 m: 41 under 914 m: 16 (2010)

Heliports

9 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 2, chemical tanker 22, container 4, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 11, petroleum tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 8

foreign-owned

15 (Egypt 1, Greece 4, Kuwait 4, UAE 6)

registered in other countries

55 (Bahamas 16, Dominica 3, Liberia 24, Norway 3, Panama 8) (2010)

total

74

Pipelines

condensate 212 km; gas 1,880 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,183 km; oil 4,241 km; refined products 1,148 km (2009)

Ports and terminals

Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jiddah, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah

Railways

standard gauge

1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2008)

total

1,392 km

Roadways

paved

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

total

221,372 km

unpaved

173,843 km (2006)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 8,752,167 females age 16-49: 6,680,315 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 7,560,216 females age 16-49: 5,773,033 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

269,580 (2010 est.)

male

280,041

Military branches

Ministry of Defense and Aviation Forces

Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes Marine Forces and Special Forces), Royal Saudi Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya as-Sa'udiya), Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Rocket Forces, Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG)

Military expenditures

10% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2004)

Disputes - 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

Illicit drugs

death penalty for traffickers; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement page last updated on January 13, 2011 ======================================================================

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

240,015 (Palestinian Territories) (2007)

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Saudi Arabia is a destination country for workers from South and Southeast Asia who are subjected to conditions that constitute involuntary servitude including being subjected to physical and sexual abuse, non-payment of wages, confinement, and withholding of passports as a restriction on their movement; domestic workers are particularly vulnerable because some are confined to the house in which they work unable to seek help; Saudi Arabia is also a destination country for Nigerian, Yemeni, Pakistani, Afghan, Somali, Malian, and Sudanese children trafficked for forced begging and involuntary servitude as street vendors; some Nigerian women were reportedly trafficked into Saudi Arabia for commercial sexual exploitation

tier rating

Tier 3 - Saudi Arabia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government continues to lack adequate anti-trafficking laws and, despite evidence of widespread trafficking abuses, did not report any criminal prosecutions, convictions, or prison sentences for trafficking crimes committed against foreign domestic workers (2008)