Country Profile: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, located in the Middle East, is the birthplace of Islam and contains its two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina. Geographically, it features a vast and predominantly arid desert landscape, encompassing a total area of approximately 2.15 million square kilometers. The country's population is estimated at over 36 million, largely concentrated in urban areas, and characterized by a mix of ethnic groups and a predominant Islamic faith. Economically, Saudi Arabia boasts a high-income, oil-based economy and is a member of OPEC, focusing on diversification and modernization through its Vision 2030 initiative. The governance structure is an absolute monarchy, with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as the current monarch.

Geography

Saudi Arabia occupies a strategic position in the Middle East, bordered by the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. The terrain is mainly sandy desert, with the highest point in the As Sarawat mountain range. It has no rivers and experiences harsh climatic conditions characterized by extreme temperatures. Despite these challenges, the country possesses significant natural resources, including oil and natural gas.

• 2,149,690 sq km: Total area, making it slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US.
• 4,272 km: Total land boundaries shared with neighboring countries.
• 2,640 km: Length of coastline along the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.
• 80.8%: Proportion of land used for agriculture (2023 estimate).
• 17%: Share of the world's proven oil reserves held by Saudi Arabia (2020).

People and Society

Saudi Arabia's population is approximately 36.5 million, predominantly Arab, with a significant expatriate community. Arabic is the official language, and the society is primarily Muslim, with a notable division between Sunni and Shia sects. Urbanization is high, with about 85% of the population living in urban areas. The nation has made strides in education and healthcare, resulting in a literacy rate of over 97%.

• 22.9%: Percentage of the population aged 0-14 years.
• 77.2 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 estimate).
• 1.31 male(s)/female: Sex ratio across the total population (2024 estimate).
• 97.9%: Literacy rate among the total population (2024 estimate).
• 11.4 deaths/1,000 live births: Infant mortality rate (2025 estimate).

Economy

Saudi Arabia has a high-income, oil-based economy and is a founding member of OPEC. The government aims to diversify its economy away from oil reliance through the Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to enhance the private sector's role. Although the country faces challenges such as fluctuating oil prices, it maintains a significant level of public investment and foreign capital inflow.

• Real GDP: Projected at $2.213 trillion (2024 estimate).
• 3.9%: Unemployment rate (2024 estimate).
• 45%: Percentage of GDP attributed to household consumption (2024 estimate).
• 2.5%: Contribution of agriculture to GDP (2024 estimate).
• 11.174 million bbl/day: Total petroleum production (2023 estimate).

Government

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia operates as an absolute monarchy, where the king holds significant power. The political structure includes a cabinet appointed by the monarch and a Shura Council. The legal framework is based primarily on Islamic law, with various administrative divisions across the country. The current King is Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman as the head of government.

• 13: Number of administrative regions in the country.
• 151: Seats in the Shura Council, all appointed (2024).
• 18 years: Minimum voting age for municipal elections.
• 1992: Year of the Basic Law of Government, establishing the constitutional framework.

Military and Security

The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces are structured under two ministries, focusing on both external defense and internal security. The country allocates a substantial portion of its GDP to military expenditures. Saudi Arabia's military strategy emphasizes modernization and procurement of advanced weaponry from various foreign allies.

• 250,000: Active personnel in the Saudi Armed Forces (2025 estimate).
• 7.1%: Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2024 estimate).
• 125,000: Personnel in the National Guard, responsible for internal security.
• 433: Total vessels in the merchant marine (2023).

Energy

Saudi Arabia is one of the world's leading producers of oil and natural gas. The energy sector is crucial to the economy, with substantial investments in fossil fuel production and electricity generation. The country is increasingly focusing on renewable energy as part of its Vision 2030 initiative.

• 11.174 million bbl/day: Daily petroleum production (2023 estimate).
• 100%: Electrification rate (2022 estimate).
• 383.512 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023 estimate).
• 9.423 trillion cubic meters: Proven natural gas reserves (2021 estimate).

Environment

Saudi Arabia faces several environmental challenges, including desertification, limited freshwater resources, and air pollution. The government is part of numerous international environmental agreements and aims to address these issues through various policies.

• 656.511 million metric tonnes: Total CO2 emissions (2023 estimate).
• 85%: Urban population share (2023 estimate).
• 3.392 billion cubic meters: Municipal water withdrawal (2022 estimate).

Transportation

The country's transportation infrastructure includes a network of airports, railways, and ports, facilitating both domestic travel and international trade. Saudi Arabia invests in upgrading its transportation systems to support economic growth and connectivity.

• 90: Number of airports (2025).
• 5,410 km: Total length of railways (2016).
• 16: Total number of ports (2024).

Communications

Saudi Arabia has a highly developed communications sector, with widespread mobile and internet usage. The country actively participates in global telecommunications and fosters media diversity through various broadcast media platforms.

• 100%: Internet usage rate among the population (2023 estimate).
• 52.5 million: Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2023 estimate).
• 14.5 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023 estimate).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	36,544,431 (2024 est.)
Area	2,149,690 sq km
Real GDP (PPP)	$2.213 trillion (2024)
Unemployment Rate	3.9% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	13.41 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	77.2 years (2024 est.)
Electricity Access	100%	(2022 est.)
Military Expenditure	7.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Female Literacy	96.7% (2024 est.)
Urban Population	85% (2023)