Country Profile: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, located in the Middle East, is the largest country in the world without a river, characterized by a harsh desert climate and significant geographical features, including extensive coastlines along the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. As an absolute monarchy, the Kingdom's governance is led by King Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, with a focus on modernization and social reforms. With a population of over 36 million, the country has a distinct oil-based economy that is undergoing diversification as part of the Vision 2030 strategy, emphasizing private sector growth and foreign investment.

Geography

Saudi Arabia is situated in the Middle East, bordered by the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, with land boundaries totaling 4,272 km. The country's terrain is predominantly sandy desert, and it features a mean elevation of 665 m, with the highest point in the As Sarawat range at 3,000 m. The climate is harsh and dry with significant temperature extremes.

2,149,690 sq km - total area
2,640 km - coastline
80.8% - percentage of land used for agriculture (2022)
0.5% - forest cover (2022)
18.8% - other land use (2022)

People and Society

Saudi Arabia's population is approximately 36.5 million, with a significant portion concentrated in urban areas, reflecting a shift from a historically nomadic lifestyle. The official language is Arabic, and the predominant religion is Islam, with a majority being Sunni Muslims. The country has a high literacy rate of 98% and a youthful demographic, with 72.7% of the population aged between 15 to 64 years.

36,544,431 - total population (2024 est.)
85% - urban population (2023)
22.9% - percentage of the population aged 0-14 years
72.7% - percentage of the population aged 15-64 years
47.2% - labor force participation from the service sector (2024 est.)

Economy

Saudi Arabia boasts a high-income oil-based economy and is a founding member of OPEC. Its Vision 2030 strategy aims to diversify economic resources away from oil dependency. The economy has shown resilience and growth, with significant investments aimed at fostering a vibrant private sector.

$2.213 trillion - Real GDP (PPP, 2024 est.)
3.9% - unemployment rate (2024 est.)
45% - household consumption share of GDP (2024 est.)
7.8% - tax revenue as a percentage of GDP (2023 est.)
11.174 million bbl/day - total petroleum production (2023 est.)

Government

Saudi Arabia operates as an absolute monarchy, with King Salman as the head of state and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the prime minister. The country has a unicameral legislature, the Shura Council, composed of appointed members. Its legal system is based on Islamic (sharia) law supplemented by elements from other legal traditions.

13 - administrative regions
151 - members in the Shura Council
18 years - minimum voting age for municipal elections
0 - registered political parties
23 September 1932 - date of independence

Military and Security

The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces are structured under two ministries, with significant investments in military capabilities and modernization driven by security concerns in the region. The country continues to maintain a military presence in Yemen and collaborates closely with the US on defense initiatives.

250,000 - active personnel (2025 est.)
7.1% - military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.)
125,000 - personnel in the National Guard (2025)
433 - total naval vessels (2023)
Yemen - ongoing military deployments

Energy

Saudi Arabia is the world's leading oil producer, with significant natural gas resources and an ambitious strategy for diversifying energy sources. The country is focused on renewable energy initiatives while maintaining its status as a key player in global energy markets.

100% - electricity access (2022 est.)
11.174 million bbl/day - total petroleum production (2023 est.)
121.219 billion cubic meters - natural gas production (2023 est.)
656.511 million metric tons - CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
99.3% - electricity generation from fossil fuels (2023 est.)

Environment

Saudi Arabia faces several environmental challenges, including desertification and limited freshwater resources. The country is engaged in international environmental agreements focusing on biodiversity and climate change adaptation.

2.4 billion cubic meters - total renewable water resources (2020 est.)
15% - percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2015)
57.16 micrograms per cubic meter - particulate matter emissions (2019)
3.39 billion cubic meters - municipal water withdrawal (2020 est.)
0.5% - forest cover (2022)

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure in Saudi Arabia includes extensive rail networks, active air transport systems, and a growing number of ports. The country is enhancing its network to support both domestic and international logistics.

90 - number of airports (2025)
5,410 km - total railway length (2016)
433 - merchant marine vessels (2023)
16 - total ports (2024)
69 - heliports (2025)

Communications

Saudi Arabia has a modern communication network with high mobile and internet penetration rates, reflecting its investment in digital infrastructure.

100% - percentage of internet users (2023)
52.5 million - mobile cellular subscriptions (2023)
14.5 million - fixed broadband subscriptions (2023)
6.788 million - fixed line subscriptions (2023)
20 - fixed line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	36,544,431	2024 est.
Area	2,149,690 sq km	Total area
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	98%	2020 est.
Life Expectancy	77.2 years	2024 est.
Military Expenditure	7.1% of GDP	2024 est.