2015 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. 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.

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

928.1 cu m/yr (2006)

total

23.67 cu km/yr (9%/3%/88%)

Geographic coordinates

25 00 N, 45 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

16,200 sq km (2004)

Land boundaries

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

total

4,272 km

Land use

arable land 1.5%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 79.1%

agricultural land

80.7%

forest

0.5%

other

18.8% (2011 est.)

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 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 sandy desert

Total renewable water resources

2.4 cu km (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years

27.07% (male 3,850,992/female 3,661,194)

15-24 years

19.11% (male 2,839,161/female 2,463,216)

25-54 years

45.9% (male 7,244,386/female 5,495,284)

55-64 years

4.68% (male 710,827/female 587,281)

65 years and over

3.24% (male 460,209/female 439,766) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

18.51 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5.3% (2005)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

23.8% (2007)

Death rate

3.33 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

4.2%

potential support ratio

24% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

45.9%

youth dependency ratio

41.7%

Drinking water source

urban: 97% of population

rural: 97% of population

total: 97% of population

rural: 3% of population

total: 3% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved

urban: 3% of population

Education expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Health expenditures

3.2% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

female

11.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

16.16 deaths/1,000 live births

total

14.09 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official)

Life expectancy at birth

female

77.2 years (2015 est.)

male

73 years

total population

75.05 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

91.1% (2015 est.)

male

97%

total population

94.7%

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)

Maternal mortality rate

12 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

female

25.8 years (2015 est.)

male

27.6 years

total

26.8 years

Nationality

adjective

Saudi or Saudi Arabian

noun

Saudi(s)

Net migration rate

-0.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

33.7% (2014)

Physicians density

2.49 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

27,752,316

note

immigrants make up more than 30% of the total population, according to UN data (2013) (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

1.46% (2015 est.)

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

Sanitation facility access

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.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

17 years (2013)

male

16 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.15 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.32 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.21 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.05 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.19 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.12 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

55.3% (2013 est.)

male

21.1%

total

29.5%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

83.1% of total population (2015)

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

Capital

geographic coordinates

24 39 N, 46 42 E

name

Riyadh

time difference

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

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

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

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)

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 Joseph William WESTPHAL (since 26 March 2014)

consulate(s) general

Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

embassy

Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh

FAX

[966] (1) 488-7360

mailing address

American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693

telephone

[966] (1) 488-3800

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador Abdallah bin Faysal bin Turki bin Abdallah bin Saud Abu Hala

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 4 years and includes many royal family members

chief of state

King and Prime Minister SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 23 January 2015); 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

elections/appointments

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

head of government

King and Prime Minister SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 23 January 2015); 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)

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

Government type

monarchy

Independence

23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)

International law organization participation

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

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, 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

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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

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

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

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

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

description

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

National anthem

lyrics/music

Ibrahim KHAFAJI/Abdul Rahman al-KHATEEB

name

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

note

music adopted 1947, lyrics adopted 1984

National holiday

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

National symbol(s)

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

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

other

gas companies; religious groups

Suffrage

21 years of age; male; male and female for municipal elections

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

expenditures

$293.3 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$278.9 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

2.5% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.8% (31 December 2014 est.)

6.7% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

$76.92 billion (2014 est.)

$135.4 billion (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$166.1 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$155.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Economy - 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.

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.)

Exports

$342.3 billion (2014 est.)

$375.9 billion (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products 90% (2012 est.)

Exports - partners

China 13.3%, Japan 13%, US 12.9%, South Korea 10%, India 8.9%, Singapore 4% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

47.5%

government consumption

26.4%

household consumption

32.5%

imports of goods and services

-34.2%

investment in fixed capital

24.3%

investment in inventories

3.5%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

1.9%

industry

57%

services

41.1% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$52,300 (2014 est.)

$50,600 (2013 est.)

$49,200 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.5% (2014 est.)

2.7% (2013 est.)

5.4% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$746.2 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.61 trillion (2014 est.)

$1.556 trillion (2013 est.)

$1.515 trillion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

38.1% of GDP (2014 est.)

44.4% of GDP (2013 est.)

48.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$158.5 billion (2014 est.)

$153.3 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 13.3%, US 12.1%, India 8.3%, Germany 6.5%, South Korea 5.4%, Japan 4.9% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

2.7% (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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.7% (2014 est.)

3.5% (2013 est.)

Labor force

11.22 million

note

about 80% of the labor force is non-national (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

6.7%

industry

21.4%

services

71.9% (2005 est.)

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.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

1.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

2.7% of GDP (2013 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$660.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$732.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$461.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$412 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$32.46 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$27.06 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$242.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$234.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$-38.16 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$-58.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$304.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$266.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

37.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.6% (2014 est.)

11.5% (2013 est.)

note

data are for Saudi males only (local bank estimates; some estimates are as high as 25%)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

582.7 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

7.658 million bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

9.735 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

268.3 billion bbl (1 January 2015 est.)

Electricity - consumption

231.6 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.9% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

53.62 million kW (2012 est.)

Electricity - production

255.4 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

102.4 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

102.4 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

8.235 trillion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

2.961 million bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

1.524 million bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

338,800 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

1.971 million bbl/day (2012 est.)

Broadcast media

broadcast media are state-controlled; state-run TV operates 4 networks; Saudi Arabia is a major market for pan-Arab satellite TV broadcasters; state-run radio operates several networks; multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.sa

Internet users

percent of population

59.2% (2014 est.)

total

16.2 million

Radio broadcast stations

AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998)

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) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

14 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

3.92 million

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

193 (2014 est.)

total

52.7 million

Television broadcast stations

117 (1997)

Airports

214 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

27

2,438 to 3,047 m

16

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

33

total

82

under 914 m

4 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

16 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

72

2,438 to 3,047 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

37

total

132

Heliports

10 (2013)

Merchant marine

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

registered in other countries

55 (Bahamas 16, Dominica 2, Liberia 20, Malta 2, Norway 3, Panama 11, Tanzania 1) (2010)

total

72

Pipelines

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

Ports and terminals

container port(s) (TEUs)

Ad Dammam (1,492,315), Jeddah (4,010,448)

major seaport(s)

Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jeddah, Yanbu al Bahr

Railways

standard gauge

1,378 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2014)

total

1,378 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

females age 16-49

6,601,985 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

8,644,522

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

5,677,819 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

7,365,624

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

244,763 (2010 est.)

male

261,105

Military branches

Ministry of Defense: 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, Ministry of the National Guard (SANG) (2015)

Military expenditures

7.98% of GDP (2012)

7.25% of GDP (2011)

7.98% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

17 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

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

regularly enforces the death penalty for drug traffickers, with foreigners being convicted and executed disproportionately; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

30,000 (Yemen) (2015)

stateless persons

70,000 (2014); 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

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Saudi Arabia is a destination country for men and women subjected to forced labor and, to a lesser extent, forced prostitution; many men and women from Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa who voluntarily travel to Saudi Arabia as domestic servants or low-skilled laborers subsequently face conditions of involuntary servitude, including nonpayment, withholding of passports, restriction of movement, food deprivation, and abuse; some migrant workers are forced to work indefinitely beyond the term of their contract because their employers will not grant them a required exit visa; foreign domestic workers are particularly vulnerable because of their isolation in private homes; women, primarily from Asian and African countries, are believed to be forced into prostitution in Saudi Arabia, while other foreign women were reportedly kidnapped and forced into prostitution after running away from abusive employers; Yemeni, Nigerian, Pakistani, Afghan, Chadian, and Sudanese children were subjected to forced labor as beggars and street vendors in Saudi Arabia, facilitated by criminal gangs

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; in 2013, the government did not report prosecuting or convicting any trafficking offenders and identified and referred fewer victims to protection services than in the previous reporting period; the sponsorship system, including the exit visa requirement, continues to restrict the freedom of movement of migrant workers and to hamper the ability of victims to pursue legal cases against their employers; the withholding workers’ passports remains widespread because legislation prohibiting the practice was not enforced; officials continue to arrest, detain, deport, and sometimes prosecute trafficking victims for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked (2014)