Introduction
Background
Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. 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. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and held about 16% of the world's proven oil reserves as of 2015.
Geography
Area
total: 2,149,690 sq km
land: 2,149,690 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
People and Society
Population
35,939,806 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
Languages
Arabic (official)
Religions
Muslim (official; citizens are 85-90% Sunni and 10-12% Shia), other (includes Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh) (2020 est.)
Population growth rate
1.65% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
absolute monarchy
Capital
name: Riyadh
Executive branch
chief of state: King SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 23 January 2015); Crown Prince MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (born 31 August 1985)
head of government: Crown Prince and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 27 September 2022)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 seats plus a speaker; members appointed by the monarch to serve 4-year terms); note - in early 2013, the monarch granted women 30 seats on the Council
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, oil-based Middle Eastern economy; OPEC leader; diversifying portfolio; declining per-capita incomes; young labor force; key human capital gaps; heavy bureaucracy and increasing corruption; substantial poverty; low innovation economy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.594 trillion (2021 est.)
$1.544 trillion (2020 est.)
$1.611 trillion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$44,300 (2021 est.)
$42,900 (2020 est.)
$45,000 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, dates, poultry, fruit, watermelons, barley, wheat, potatoes, eggs, tomatoes
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
Remittances
0.04% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.04% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.04% of GDP (2019 est.)
Exports
$286.502 billion (2021 est.)
$182.848 billion (2020 est.)
$285.86 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
China 19%, India 10%, Japan 9%, South Korea 8%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2021)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, polymers, industrial alcohols, natural gas (2021)
Imports
$213.016 billion (2021 est.)
$182.184 billion (2020 est.)
$218.941 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
China 19%, United Arab Emirates 15%, United States 8%, India 6%, Germany 4% (2021)
Imports - commodities
cars, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, gold, packaged medicines (2021)
Exchange rates
Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
3.75 (2021 est.)
3.75 (2020 est.)
3.75 (2019 est.)
3.75 (2018 est.)
3.75 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Monday, December 11, 2023
