Country Profile: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, occupies a significant geographical area in the Middle East, bordered by the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. With a population of approximately 36.5 million, the country is governed as an absolute monarchy, led by King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. The economy is primarily driven by its vast oil and natural gas reserves, which account for a considerable part of the GDP, while ongoing reforms under the Vision 2030 initiative aim to diversify the economy and reduce dependency on hydrocarbon revenues.

Geography

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the world without a river, featuring a harsh, dry desert climate characterized by extreme temperatures. The terrain is predominantly sandy desert, with notable geographical features including the As Sarawat mountain range and extensive coastlines along the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, enhancing its shipping capabilities.

Total Area: 2,149,690 sq km
Land Borders: Total of 4,272 km, including Iraq and Yemen.
Coastline: 2,640 km.
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, and copper.
Natural Hazards: Frequent sand and dust storms.

People and Society

The population of Saudi Arabia is approximately 36.5 million people, predominantly Arab, with a significant expatriate community. The society is primarily Muslim, with a mix of Sunni and Shia denominations, reflecting the country's Islamic heritage. The literacy rate is high at 97.9%, indicating a strong emphasis on education.

Gender Ratio: 1.31 male(s)/female (total population).
Urbanization: 85% of the population lives in urban areas.
Median Age: 32.4 years.
Life Expectancy: 77.2 years.
Total Fertility Rate: 1.87 children born/woman.

Economy

Saudi Arabia boasts a high-income, oil-based economy and is a founding member of OPEC. The Vision 2030 strategy prioritizes economic diversification, further integrating the private sector into the economy. The GDP per capita is estimated at $62,700 for 2024, reflecting the country's wealth.

Real GDP (PPP): $2.213 trillion (2024 est.).
Unemployment Rate: 3.9% (2024 est.).
Economic Growth Rate: 1.8% (2024 est.).
Agriculture Contribution: 2.5% of GDP.
Industry Contribution: 44.8% of GDP.

Government

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, where the king serves as both the head of state and government. The current monarch, King Salman, oversees a cabinet filled with royal family members, and the country has undergone significant reforms under the leadership of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.

Capital: Riyadh.
Administrative Divisions: 13 regions.
Suffrage: Restricted to municipal elections for those 18 years and older.
Constitution: Based on Islamic law established by the 1992 Basic Law.
Legislative Body: Unicameral Shura Council with 151 appointed members.

Military and Security

The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces are divided into the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the National Guard, encompassing a blend of traditional military and security roles. The country continues to invest heavily in its military capabilities, reflecting its strategic interests in the region.

Military Expenditure: 7.1% of GDP (2024 est.).
Active Personnel: Approximately 250,000 in armed forces.
Military Equipment: Mix of modern weapons primarily sourced from the US and Europe.
No Conscription: Military service is voluntary for men and women.
Operational Focus: Ongoing military presence in Yemen.

Energy

Saudi Arabia is one of the world's leading oil producers, holding significant reserves of crude oil and natural gas. The energy sector is crucial for the national economy, with nearly all electricity generation sourced from fossil fuels.

Total Petroleum Production: 11.174 million bbl/day (2023 est.).
Crude Oil Reserves: Estimated at 258.6 billion barrels (2021 est.).
Natural Gas Production: 121.219 billion cubic meters (2023 est.).
Electricity Access: 100% of the population.
Installed Electric Capacity: 119.62 million kW (2023 est.).

Environment

Saudi Arabia faces various environmental challenges, including desertification, coastal pollution, and resource depletion. The country has committed to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Urban Population: 85% in urban areas (2023).
Water Resources: Limited freshwater availability.
CO2 Emissions: 656.511 million metric tonnes (2023 est.).
Municipal Solid Waste: 16.126 million tons generated annually (2024 est.).
Waste Recycling Rate: 18.8% (2022 est.).

Transportation

Saudi Arabia features a well-developed transportation network with numerous airports and a substantial civil aviation sector. The nation is also investing in enhancing its rail and maritime transport capabilities.

Total Airports: 90 (2025).
Railways: 5,410 km of standard gauge (2016).
Merchant Marine: 433 vessels (2023).
Ports: 16 total ports, with 10 having oil terminals.
Heliports: 69 (2025).

Communications

In terms of communications, Saudi Arabia has seen rapid growth in mobile and internet connectivity, with nearly universal internet access among its population.

Internet Users: 100% of the population (2023 est.).
Fixed-Line Subscriptions: 6.788 million (2023).
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 52.5 million (2023).
Broadband Subscriptions: 14.5 million (2023).
Telephones per 100 Inhabitants: 132 (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	36,544,431	2024 est.
Area	2,149,690 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$2.213 trillion	2024 est.
Energy Consumption	349.692 million Btu/person	2023 est.
Birth Rate	13.6 births/1,000 population	2024 est.
Unemployment Rate	3.9%	2024 est.
Literacy Rate	97.9%	2024 est.
Life Expectancy	77.2 years	2024 est.
Military Expenditure	7.1% of GDP	2024 est.
Electricity Access	100%	2022 est.