Country Profile: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, is characterized by its vast desert landscapes and significant geographic location bordered by the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. With a population of approximately 36.5 million, it operates under an absolute monarchy led by King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The economy is heavily reliant on oil, as the country is one of the world's largest producers and holds a substantial portion of global reserves. Governance has evolved, seeing modernization efforts and social reforms, particularly under the current Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

Geography

Saudi Arabia is located in the Middle East, bordered by the Persian Gulf to the east and the Red Sea to the west, with land borders consisting of Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, and Yemen. The country covers a total area of about 2.15 million square kilometers, making it the largest country without a river. The terrain is predominantly sandy desert, and it experiences a harsh, dry climate with significant temperature variations.

Area: 2,149,690 sq km
Coastline: 2,640 km
Highest Point: As Sarawat range at 3,000 m
Natural Resources: Includes petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, and copper
Urban Population: 85% of total population (2023)

People and Society

With an estimated population of 36.5 million in 2024, Saudi Arabia is predominantly Arab (90%), with a small Afro-Asian minority (10%). The official language is Arabic, and Islam is the state religion, primarily Sunni. Urbanization has transformed the traditionally nomadic population, with significant settlements in cities like Riyadh and Jeddah.

Literacy Rate: 97.9% (2024)
Population Growth Rate: 1.72% (2025)
Median Age: 32.8 years (2025)
Birth Rate: 13.41 births per 1,000 population (2025)
Life Expectancy: 77.2 years (2024)
Urbanization Rate: 1.69% annual change (2020-2025 est.)

Economy

Saudi Arabia boasts a high-income, oil-based economy and is a founding member of OPEC. The Vision 2030 strategy aims to diversify the economy, enhance the private sector's role, and attract international investment. Despite fluctuations in oil prices, the country continues to maintain significant economic activity and growth.

Real GDP (PPP): $2.213 trillion (2024 est.)
GDP per Capita (PPP): $62,700 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 3.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - Composition (by Sector): Industry 44.8%, Services 47.2%, Agriculture 2.5% (2024)
Military Expenditures: 7.1% of GDP (2024 est.)

Government

Saudi Arabia operates as an absolute monarchy, with the king serving as both head of state and government. The monarchy is hereditary, governed by the Basic Law established in 1992. The political system features no elections for national offices, although municipal elections occur with universal suffrage for those over 18.

Executive: King Salman bin Abdulaziz as Chief of State; Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Prime Minister
Legislature: Shura Council, unicameral with 151 appointed members
Administrative Divisions: 13 regions
National Holiday: Saudi National Day, celebrated on September 23

Military and Security

The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces comprise the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the National Guard, with approximately 250,000 active personnel. The nation prioritizes military spending due to regional security concerns and its role in international military coalitions.

Military Expenditures: 7.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Active Personnel: Approximately 250,000
Major Arms Suppliers: Includes the US, UK, China, and France

Energy

Saudi Arabia is one of the leading producers of oil and natural gas, with the energy sector dominating its economy. The country has made strides in diversifying its energy sources, aiming to integrate renewable resources into its energy mix.

Crude Oil Production: 11.174 million bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Production: 121.219 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity Access: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Environment

Environmental challenges in Saudi Arabia include desertification and limited freshwater resources. The country is committed to participating in international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Total Water Withdrawal: 26.092 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 656.511 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Municipal Solid Waste Generated: 16.126 million tons annually (2024 est.)

Transportation

Saudi Arabia features extensive transportation networks, including air, rail, and maritime facilities. The nation is investing in modernizing its transport infrastructure to enhance connectivity.

Airports: 90 (2025)
Railways: Totaling 5,410 km (2016)
Merchant Marine Fleet: 433 vessels (2023)

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Saudi Arabia has experienced significant growth, with high penetration rates for mobile and internet services, driven by government and private investments.

Internet Users: 100% of the population (2023 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 52.5 million (2023 est.)
Broadband Fixed Subscriptions: 14.5 million (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	36,544,431 (2024 est.)
Area	2,149,690 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$2.213 trillion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	3.9% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	13.41 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	77.2 years (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	349.692 million Btu/person (2023 est.)