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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 43, FM 13, shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

5 million (1993 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

modern system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay and coaxial and fiber-optic cable systems international: microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; satellite earth stations--5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

1.46 million (1993)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

117 (1997)

Televisions [time series]

4.5 million (1993 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture--products) [time series]

wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk

Budget [time series]

revenues: $32.3 billion expenditures: $44 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 budget est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Saudi riyal (SR) = 100 halalah

Debt - external (Debt--external) [time series]

$NA

Economic aid (Economic aid--donor) [time series]

pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon; since 1993, Saudi Arabia has committed $208 million for assistance to the Palestinians

Economic overview (Economy--overview) [time series]

This is a well-to-do oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved total), ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 40% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 35% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 4 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service sectors. The Saudi economy was severely hit by the large decline in world oil prices in 1998. GDP fell by nearly 11%; the budget deficit rose to $12.3 billion; and the current account recorded a $13 billion deficit--the first in three years. The government announced plans to implement large spending cuts in 1999 because of weak oil prices and will continue to call on greater private sector involvement in the economy. Shortages of water and rapid population growth will constrain government efforts to increase self-sufficiency in agricultural products.

Electricity - consumption (Electricity--consumption) [time series]

95 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - exports (Electricity--exports) [time series]

0 kWh (1996)

Electricity - imports (Electricity--imports) [time series]

0 kWh (1996)

Electricity - production (Electricity--production) [time series]

95 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity - production by source (Electricity--production by source) [time series]

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Exchange rates [time series]

Saudi riyals (SR) per US$1--3.7450 (fixed rate since June 1986)

Exports [time series]

$59.7 billion (f.o.b., 1997)

Exports - commodities (Exports--commodities) [time series]

petroleum and petroleum products 90%

Exports - partners (Exports--partners) [time series]

Japan 18%, US 15%, South Korea 11%, Singapore 8%, India 4% (1997 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity--$186 billion (1998 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP--composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 6% industry: 53% services: 41% (1996)

Real GDP per capita (GDP--per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity?$9,000 (1998 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP--real growth rate) [time series]

-10.8% (1998 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$26.2 billion (f.o.b., 1997)

Imports - commodities (Imports--commodities) [time series]

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

Imports - partners (Imports--partners) [time series]

US 23%, UK 17%, Japan 8%, Germany 8%, Italy 5% (1997 est.)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1% (1997 est.)

Industries [time series]

crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, two small steel-rolling mills, construction, fertilizer, plastics

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

-0.2% (1998 est.)

Labor force [time series]

7 million note: 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)

Labor force - by occupation (Labor force--by occupation) [time series]

government 40%, industry, construction, and oil 25%, services 30%, agriculture 5%

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 1,960,582 sq km land: 1,960,582 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative (Area--comparative) [time series]

slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US

Climate [time series]

harsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperature

Coastline [time series]

2,640 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues (Environment--current issues) [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment--international agreements) [time series]

party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

25 00 N, 45 00 E

Geography - note (Geography--note) [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

4,350 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 4,415 km border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 728 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 56% forests and woodland: 1% other: 41% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Middle East

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

frequent sand and dust storms

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Terrain [time series]

mostly uninhabited, sandy desert

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

13 provinces (mintaqat, singular--mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk

Capital [time series]

Riyadh

Constitution [time series]

governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993

Country name [time series]

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

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Wyche FOWLER, Jr. embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh mailing address: American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note--the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note--the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

green with large white Arabic script (that may be 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); green is the traditional color of Islam

Government type [time series]

monarchy

Independence [time series]

23 September 1932 (unification)

International organization participation [time series]

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BIS, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Council of Justice

Legal system [time series]

based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

a consultative council (90 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms)

National holiday [time series]

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

none allowed

Suffrage [time series]

none

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures--dollar figure) [time series]

$18.1 billion (1997 est.)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures--percent of GDP) [time series]

12% (1997 est.)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower--availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 5,696,772 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower--fit for military service) [time series]

males age 15-49: 3,171,860 (1999 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower--military age) [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower--reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 197,386 (1999 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 43% (male 4,705,724; female 4,543,918) 15-64 years: 54% (male 6,925,020; female 4,783,570) 65 years and over: 3% (male 291,449; female 254,932) (1999 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

37.38 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.86 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

38.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 70.55 years male: 68.67 years female: 72.53 years (1999 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 62.8% male: 71.5% female: 50.2% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

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

Net migration rate [time series]

1.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Population [time series]

21,504,613 (July 1999 est.) note: includes 5,321,938 non-nationals (July 1999 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

3.39% (1999 est.)

Religions [time series]

Muslim 100%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.45 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.14 male(s)/female total population: 1.24 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

6.34 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes--international) [time series]

large section of boundary with Yemen not defined; location and status of boundary with UAE is not final, de facto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; Kuwaiti ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands is disputed by Saudi Arabia; in 1996, agreed with Qatar to demarcate border per 1992 accord; that process is ongoing

Illicit drugs [time series]

death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin and cocaine

Transportation

Airports [time series]

205 (1998 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports--with paved runways) [time series]

total: 70 over 3,047 m: 30 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports--with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 135 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 78 914 to 1,523 m: 38 under 914 m: 13 (1998 est.)

Heliports [time series]

4 (1998 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 162,000 km paved: 69,174 km unpaved: 92,826 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 73 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,124,110 GRT/1,467,121 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 13, chemical tanker 7, container 5, liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock carrier 4, oil tanker 17, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 12, short-sea passenger 8 (1998 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 6,400 km; petroleum products 150 km; natural gas 2,200 km (includes natural gas liquids 1,600 km)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh, Ra's al Khafji, Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Madinat Yanbu' al Sinaiyah

Railways [time series]

total: 1,390 km standard gauge: 1,390 km 1.435-m gauge (448 km double track) (1992)