Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Introduction

Background

Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam’s two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king’s official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. 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. A male descendent of Ibn Saud, his son ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz, rules the country today as required by the country’s 1992 Basic Law. Following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong on-going campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. King ABDALLAH has continued the cautious reform program begun when he was crown prince. To promote increased political participation, the government held elections nationwide from February through April 2005 for half the members of 179 municipal councils. In December 2005, King ABDALLAH completed the process by appointing the remaining members of the advisory municipal councils. The king instituted an Inter-Faith Dialogue initiative in 2008 to encourage religious tolerance on a global level

in February 2009, he reshuffled the cabinet, which led to more moderates holding ministerial and judicial positions, and appointed the first female to the cabinet. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds more than 20% of the world’s proven oil reserves. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia’s accession to the WTO in December 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the kingdom. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoing governmental concerns. The 2010-11 uprising across Middle Eastern and North African countries sparked modest incidents in Saudi cities, predominantly by Shia demonstrators calling for the release of detainees and the withdrawal from Bahrain of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Peninsula Shield Force. Other relatively minor, non-Shia demonstrations focused on labor, prisoner, and infrastructure complaints. Protests in general were met by a strong police presence, with some arrests, but not the bloodshed seen in protests elsewhere in the region. King ABDALLAH in February and March 2011 announced a series of benefits to Saudi citizens including funds to build affordable housing, salary increases for government workers, and unemployment benefits. The King also announced that Riyadh would begin preparations for a second round of municipal elections in September 2011.

Geography

Location

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen

Geographic coordinates

25 00 N, 45 00 E

Map references

Middle East

Area

total: 2,149,690 sq km
country comparison to the world: 13 land:2,149,690 sq km
water:0 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US

Land boundaries

total: 4,431 km
border countries:Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km

Coastline

2,640 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:18 nm
continental shelf:not specified

Climate

harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes

Terrain

mostly uninhabited, sandy desert

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point:Jabal Sawda’ 3,133 m

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Land use

arable land: 1.67%
permanent crops:0.09%
other:98.24% (2005)

Irrigated land

17,310 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

2.4 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 17.32cu km/yr (10%/1%/89%)
per capita:705cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

frequent sand and dust storms
volcanism:Despite Saudi Arabia’s many volcanic formations, there has been little activity in the past few centuries

volcanoes include Harrat Rahat, Harrat Khaybar, Harrat Lunayyir, and Jabal Yar

Environment – current issues

desertification

depletion of underground water resources

the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities

coastal pollution from oil spills

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Geography – note

extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Saudi(s)
adjective:Saudi or Saudi Arabian

Ethnic groups

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Languages

Arabic (official)

Religions

Muslim 100%

Population

26,131,703 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46 note:includes 5,576,076 non-nationals

Age structure

0-14 years: 29.4% (male 3,939,377/female 3,754,020)
15-64 years:67.6% (male 9,980,253/female 7,685,328)
65 years and over:3% (male 404,269/female 368,456) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 25.3 years
male:26.4 years
female:23.9 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.536% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77

Birth rate

19.34 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96

Death rate

3.33 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214

Net migration rate

-0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142

Urbanization

urban population: 82% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:2.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

RIYADH (capital) 4.725 million

Jeddah 3.234 million

Mecca 1.484 million

Medina 1.104 million

Ad Dammam 902,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.27 male(s)/female
65 years and over:1.03 male(s)/female
total population:1.17 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

24 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 122

Infant mortality rate

total: 16.16 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 111 male:18.54 deaths/1,000 live births
female:13.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.11 years
country comparison to the world: 108 male:72.15 years
female:76.16 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.31 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97

Health expenditures

5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 139

Physicians density

0.939 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 105

Hospital bed density

2.2 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 95

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 97% of population
rural: 63% of population
total: 89% of population
unimproved:
urban: 3% of population
rural: 37% of population
total: 11% of population (1990)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.01% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

35.6% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 5

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5.3% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 82

Education expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 40

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:78.8%
male:84.7%
female:70.8% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years
male:14 years
female:13 years (2009)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 28.2%
country comparison to the world: 17 male:23.6%
female:45.8% (2008)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
conventional short form:Saudi Arabia
local long form:Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
local short form:Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

Government type

monarchy

Capital

name: Riyadh
geographic coordinates:24 38 N, 46 43 E
time difference:UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

13 provinces (mintaqat, singular – mintaqah)

Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah (Northern Border), Al Jawf, Al Madinah (Medina), Al Qasim, Ar Riyad (Riyadh), Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern), ‘Asir, Ha’il, Jizan, Makkah (Mecca), Najran, Tabuk

Independence

23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)

National holiday

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

Constitution

governed according to Islamic law

the Basic Law that articulates the government’s rights and responsibilities was promulgated by royal decree in 1992

Legal system

Islamic (sharia) legal system with some elements of Egyptian, French, and customary law

note – several secular codes have been introduced

commercial disputes handled by special committees

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

21 years of age

male

Executive branch

chief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005)

Heir Apparent Crown Prince

note – the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005)

Deputy Prime Minister NAYIF bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch every four years and includes many royal family members
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:none

the monarchy is hereditary

note – an Allegiance Commission created by royal decree in October 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes that will play a role in selecting future Saudi kings, but the system will not take effect until after Crown Prince SULTAN becomes king

Legislative branch

Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch to serve four-year terms)

note – though the Council of Ministers announced in October 2003 its intent to introduce elections for a third of the Majlis al-Shura incrementally over a period of four to five years, to date no such elections have been held or announced

Judicial branch

Supreme Council of Justice

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

Ansar Al Marah (supports women’s rights)
other:gas companies

religious groups

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-20, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Adil al-Ahmad al-JUBAYR
chancery:601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone:[1] (202) 342-3800
FAX:[1] (202) 944-3113
consulate(s) general:Houston, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador James B. SMITH
embassy:Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
mailing address:American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307

International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
telephone:[966] (1) 488-3800
FAX:[966] (1) 488-7360
consulate(s) general:Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Flag description

green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as “There is no god but God

Muhammad is the Messenger of God”) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side)

design dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932

the flag is manufactured with differing obverse and reverse sides so that the Shahada reads – and the sword points – correctly from right to left on both sides
note:one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides – the others are Moldova and Paraguay

National symbol(s)

palm tree surmounting two crossed swords

National anthem

name: “Aash Al Maleek” (Long Live Our Beloved King)
lyrics/music:Ibrahim KHAFAJI/Abdul Rahman al-KHATEEB
note:music adopted 1947, lyrics adopted 1984

Economy

Economy – overview

Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses about 20% of the world’s proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 80% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. Saudi Arabia is encouraging the growth of the private sector in order to diversify its economy and to employ more Saudi nationals. Diversification efforts are focusing on power generation, telecommunications, natural gas exploration, and petrochemical sectors. Almost 6 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors, while Riyadh is struggling to reduce unemployment among its own nationals. Saudi officials are particularly focused on employing its large youth population, which generally lacks the education and technical skills the private sector needs. Riyadh has substantially boosted spending on job training and education, most recently with the opening of the King Abdallah University of Science and Technology – Saudi Arabia’s first co-educational university. As part of its effort to attract foreign investment, Saudi Arabia acceded to the WTO in December 2005 after many years of negotiations. The government has begun establishing six “economic cities” in different regions of the country to promote foreign investment and plans to spend $373 billion between 2010 and 2014 on social development and infrastructure projects to advance Saudi Arabia’s economic development.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$622 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23 $599.5 billion (2009 est.)
$596 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$443.7 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

3.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105 0.6% (2009 est.)
4.2% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$24,200 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55 $23,700 (2009 est.)
$23,900 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 2.6%
industry:61.8%
services:35.6% (2010 est.)

Labor force

7.337 million
country comparison to the world: 61 note:about 80% of the labor force is non-national (2010 est.)

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 6.7%
industry:21.4%
services:71.9% (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

10.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118 10.5% (2009 est.)
note:data are for Saudi males only (local bank estimates

some estimates range as high as 25%)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Investment (gross fixed)

22.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78

Budget

revenues: $197.3 billion
expenditures:$167.1 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

44.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

6.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10

Public debt

16.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115 22.4% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155 5.1% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

2.5% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.2% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139 7.2% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$166.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21 $139.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$288.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31 $274.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.693 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123 $2.248 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$353.4 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 23 $318.8 billion (31 December 2009)
$246.3 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus

mutton, chickens, eggs, milk

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

Industrial production growth rate

3.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107

Electricity – production

194.4 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20

Electricity – consumption

174.5 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

10.52 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1

Oil – consumption

2.643 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8

Oil – exports

7.635 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1

Oil – imports

83,150 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71

Oil – proved reserves

262.6 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1

Natural gas – production

83.94 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Natural gas – consumption

83.94 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177

Natural gas – proved reserves

7.807 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4

Current account balance

$70.1 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6 $21.43 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$237.9 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20 $192.3 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

petroleum and petroleum products 90%

Exports – partners

Japan 14.3%, China 13.1%, US 13%, South Korea 8.8%, India 8.3%, Singapore 4.5% (2010)

Imports

$88.35 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32 $87.08 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles

Imports – partners

US 12.4%, China 11.1%, Germany 7.1%, Japan 6.9%, France 6.1%, India 4.7%, South Korea 4.2% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$445.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4 $410.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$80.95 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46 $72.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$187.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24 $159.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$14.29 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49 $10.38 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar -
3.75 (2010)
3.75 (2009)
3.75 (2008)
3.745 (2007)
3.745 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

217 (2010)
country comparison to the world:27

Airports – with paved runways

total: 81
over 3,047 m:33
2,438 to 3,047 m:15
1,524 to 2,437 m:27
914 to 1,523 m:2
under 914 m:4 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 136
2,438 to 3,047 m:8
1,524 to 2,437 m:71
914 to 1,523 m:41
under 914 m:16 (2010)

Heliports

9 (2010)

Pipelines

condensate 212 km

gas 2,846 km

liquid petroleum gas 1,183 km

oil 4,232 km

refined products 1,151 km (2010)

Railways

total: 1,378 km
country comparison to the world: 81 standard gauge:1,378 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2010)

Roadways

total: 221,372 km
country comparison to the world: 23 paved:47,529 km (includes 3,891 km of expressways)
unpaved:173,843 km (2006)

Merchant marine

total: 74
country comparison to the world: 58 by type:cargo 2, chemical tanker 22, container 4, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 11, petroleum tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 8
foreign-owned:15 (Egypt 1, Greece 4, Kuwait 4, UAE 6)
registered in other countries:55 (Bahamas 16, Dominica 3, Liberia 24, Norway 3, Panama (2010)

Ports and terminals

Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jeddah, Yanbu al Bahr

Military

Military branches

Ministry of Defense and Aviation Forces: Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes Marine Forces and Special Forces), Royal Saudi Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya as-Sa’udiya), Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Rocket Forces, Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (est.)

no conscription (2004)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 8,644,522
females age 16-49:6,601,985 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 7,365,624
females age 16-49:5,677,819 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 261,105
female:244,763 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

10% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the now fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran

Saudi Arabia claims Egyptian-administered islands of Tiran and Sanafir

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 240,015 (Palestinian Territories) (2007)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Saudi Arabia is a destination country for men and women subjected to forced labor and to a much lesser extent, forced prostitution

men and women from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and many other countries voluntarily travel to Saudi Arabia as domestic servants or other low-skilled laborers, but some subsequently face conditions indicative of involuntary servitude

women, primarily from Asian and African countries, were believed to have been forced into prostitution in Saudi Arabia

others were reportedly kidnapped and forced into prostitution after running away from abusive employers

Yemeni, Nigerian, Pakistani, Afghan, Chadian, and Sudanese children were subjected to forced labor as beggars and street vendors in Saudi Arabia, facilitated by criminal gangs

some Saudi nationals travel to destinations including Morocco, Egypt, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh to solicit prostitution
tier rating:Tier 3 – Saudi Arabia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so

however, the government undertook some efforts to improve its response to the vast human trafficking problem in Saudi Arabia, including training government officials on its 2009 anti-trafficking law and conducting surprise visits to places where victims may be found

it also achieved its first conviction under its human trafficking law

nonetheless, the government did not prosecute and punish a significant number of trafficking offenders or significantly improve victim protection services (2011)

Illicit drugs

death penalty for traffickers

improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement