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. One of his male descendants rules the country today, as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. King ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz ascended to the throne in 2005. 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 since 2005 has worked to incrementally modernize the Kingdom - driven by personal ideology and political pragmatism - through a series of social and economic initiatives, including expanding employment and social opportunities for women, attracting foreign investment, increasing the role of the private sector in the economy, and discouraging businesses from hiring foreign workers. The Arab Spring inspired protests - increasing in number since 2011 but usually small in size - over primarily domestic issues among Saudi Arabia's majority Sunni population. Riyadh has taken a cautious but firm approach by arresting some protesters but releasing most of them quickly, and by using its state-sponsored clerics to counter political and Islamist activism. In addition, Saudi Arabia has seen protests among the Shia populace in the Eastern Province, who have protested primarily against the detention of political prisoners, endemic discrimination, and Bahraini and Saudi Government actions in Bahrain. Protests are met by a strong police presence, with some arrests, but not the level of bloodshed seen in protests elsewhere in the region. In response to the unrest, 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 entitlements. To promote increased political participation, the government held elections nationwide in September 2011 for half the members of 285 municipal councils - a body that holds little influence in the Saudi Government. Also in September, the king announced that women will be allowed to run for and vote in future municipal elections - first held in 2005 - and serve as full members of the advisory Consultative Council. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds about 17% 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 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the kingdom. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are ongoing governmental concerns.

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 39 N, 46 42 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, Jazan, Makkah (Mecca), Najran, Tabuk
 

Independence:

23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
 

National holiday:

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)
 

Constitution:

1 March 1992 - Basic Law of Government, issued by royal decree, serves as the constitutional framework and is based on the Qur'an and the life and tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (2013)
 

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 SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, born 31 December 1935); Deputy Crown Prince MUQRIN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (born 15 September 1945); note - the monarch is both 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 SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 19 June 2012); Second Deputy Prime Minister MUQRIN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since February 2013)
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 Opens in New Window)
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 selection process becomes effective after King ABDALLAH's successor inherits the throne
 

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:

highest court(s): High Court (consists of the court chief and organized into circuits with 3-judge panels except the criminal circuit which has a 5-judge panel for cases involving major punishments)
note - in 2005, King Abdullah issued decrees approving an overhaul of the judicial system and which were incorporated in the Judiciary Law of 2007; one change was the replacement of the Supreme Council of Justice with the High Court
judge selection and term of office: the High Court chief and chiefs of the High Court Circuits appointed by royal decree following the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council, a 10-member body of high level judges and other judicial heads; new judges and assistant judges serve 1- and 2- year probations, respectively, before permanent assignment
subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; first-degree courts composed of general, criminal, personal status, and commercial courts, and the Labor Court; hierarchy of administrative courts
 

Political parties and leaders:

none
 

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Ansar Al Marah (supports women's rights); Freedom and Justice Coalition (supports Shia rights)
other: gas companies; religious groups
 

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, CAEU, CP, FAO, G-20, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), 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 (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
 

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Adil al-Ahmad al-JUBAYR (since 21 February 2007)
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 Joseph WESTPHAL (since 26 March 2014)
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

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:

Area comparison map:  
 

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: 1.45%
permanent crops: 0.11%
other: 98.44% (2011)
 

Irrigated land:

16,200 sq km (2004)
 

Total renewable water resources:

2.4 cu km (2011)
 

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 23.67 cu km/yr (9%/3%/88%)
per capita: 928.1 cu m/yr (2006)
 

Natural hazards:

frequent sand and dust storms
volcanism: despite 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:

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the world without a river; extensive coastlines on the Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through the Persian Gulf and Suez Canal

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

Ethnic groups:

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
 

Languages:

Arabic (official)
 

Religions:

Muslim (official; citizens are 85-90% Sunni and 10-15% Shia), other (includes Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh) (2012 est.)
note: despite having a large expatriate community of various faiths (more than 30% of the population), most forms of public religious expression inconsistent with the government-sanctioned interpretation of Sunni Islam are restricted; non-Muslims are not allowed to have Saudi citizenship and non-Muslim places of worship are not permitted (2013) (2012 est.)
 

Population:

27,345,986
country comparison to the world: 47
note: immigrants make up more than 30% of the total population, according to UN data (2013) (July 2014 est.)
 

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.6% (male 3,869,961/female 3,681,616)
15-24 years: 19.3% (male 2,832,538/female 2,458,339)
25-54 years: 45.4% (male 7,086,004/female 5,323,373)
55-64 years: 4.5% (male 674,571/female 555,136)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 444,302/female 420,146) (2014 est.)
population pyramid:  
 

Dependency ratios:

total dependency ratio: 46.1 %
youth dependency ratio: 41.8 %
elderly dependency ratio: 4.3 %
potential support ratio: 23.5 (2014 est.)
 

Median age:

total: 26.4 years
male: 27.3 years
female: 25.3 years (2014 est.)
 

Population growth rate:

1.49% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
 

Birth rate:

18.78 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
 

Death rate:

3.32 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
 

Net migration rate:

-0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
 

Urbanization:

urban population: 82.3% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 2.38% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
 

Major urban areas - population:

RIYADH (capital) 5.451 million; Jeddah 3.578 million; Mecca 1.591 million; Medina 1.142 million; Ad Dammam 941,000 (2011)
 

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.33 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.2 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.08 male(s)/female
total population: 1.21 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
 

Maternal mortality rate:

24 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 133
 

Infant mortality rate:

total: 14.58 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 110
male: 16.73 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
 

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.82 years
country comparison to the world: 107
male: 72.79 years
female: 76.94 years (2014 est.)
 

Total fertility rate:

2.17 children born/woman (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
 

Contraceptive prevalence rate:

23.8% (2007)
 

Health expenditures:

3.7% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 173
 

Physicians density:

0.94 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
 

Hospital bed density:

2.2 beds/1,000 population (2009)
 

Drinking water source:

improved: 
urban: 97% of population
rural: 97% of population
total: 97% of population
unimproved: urban: 3% of population
rural: 3% of population
total: 3% of population (2012 est.)
 

Sanitation facility access:

improved: 
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved: 
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)
 

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.01% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
 

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA
 

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA
 

Obesity - adult prevalence rate:

33% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 19
 

Children under the age of 5 years underweight:

5.3% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 87
 

Education expenditures:

5.1% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 68
 

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87.2%
male: 90.8%
female: 82.2% (2011 est.)
 

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2012)
 

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:

total: 28.3%
country comparison to the world: 31
male: 20.8%
female: 54.4% (2012)

Economy - overview:
 
Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses about 16% 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. Over 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 2005. 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):

$927.8 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
$895.8 billion (2012 est.)
$852.1 billion (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
 

GDP (official exchange rate):

$718.5 billion (2013 est.)
 

GDP - real growth rate:

3.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
5.1% (2012 est.)
8.6% (2011 est.)
 

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$31,300 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$30,900 (2012 est.)
$30,000 (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
 

Gross national saving:

45% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
48.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
50.5% of GDP (2011 est.)
 

GDP - composition, by end use:

household consumption: 29.7%
government consumption: 21.7%
investment in fixed capital: 23.5%
investment in inventories: 3.5%
exports of goods and services: 52.9%
imports of goods and services: -31.4%
(2013 est.)
 

GDP - composition, by sector of origin:

agriculture: 2%
industry: 62.5%
services: 35.5% (2013 est.)
 

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:

2.7% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
 

Labor force:

8.412 million
country comparison to the world: 57
note: about 80% of the labor force is non-national (2013 est.)
 

Labor force - by occupation:

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

Unemployment rate:

10.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
10.6% (2012 est.)
note: data are for Saudi males only (local bank estimates; other estimates are as high as 25%)
 

Population below poverty line:

NA%
 

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
 

Budget:

revenues: $302.6 billion
expenditures: $258.4 billion (2013 est.)
 

Taxes and other revenues:

42.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
 

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):

6.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
 

Public debt:

12.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
11.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
 

Fiscal year:

calendar year
 

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.7% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
2.9% (2012 est.)
 

Central bank discount rate:

2.5% (31 December 2008)
 

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

6.7% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
6.8% (31 December 2012 est.)
 

Stock of narrow money:

$263.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
$236.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
 

Stock of broad money:

$416.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$371.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
 

Stock of domestic credit:

$-52.29 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
$-74.71 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
 

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$373.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$338.9 billion (31 December 2011)
$353.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
 

Current account balance:

$132.2 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
$164.8 billion (2012 est.)
 

Exports:

$376.3 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
$388.4 billion (2012 est.)
 

Exports - commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products 90%
 

Exports - partners:

US 14.2%, China 13.6%, Japan 13.6%, South Korea 9.9%, India 8.2%, Singapore 4.3% (2012)
 

Imports:

$147 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$141.8 billion (2012 est.)
 

Imports - commodities:

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

Imports - partners:

China 13.5%, US 13.2%, South Korea 6.6%, Germany 6.5%, India 6.3%, Japan 6% (2012)
 

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$739.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
$656.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
 

Debt - external:

$149.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
$136.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
 

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$240.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24

$223.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
 

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$26.08 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
$22.12 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
 

Exchange rates:

Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar -
3.75 (2013 est.)
3.75 (2012 est.)
3.75 (2010 est.)
3.75 (2009)
3.75 (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use:
 
4.8 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 31
 

Telephones - mobile cellular:

53 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 26
 

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system including a combination of extensive microwave radio relays, coaxial cables, and fiber-optic cables
domestic: mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly
international: country code - 966; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks providing connectivity to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) (2011)
 

Broadcast media:

broadcast media are state-controlled; state-run TV operates 4 networks; Saudi Arabia is a major market for pan-Arab satellite TV broadcasters; state-run radio operates several networks; multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)
 

Internet country code:

.sa
 

Internet hosts:

145,941 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 79
 

Internet users:

9.774 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 30

Airports:
 
214 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 26
 

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 82
over 3,047 m: 33
2,438 to 3,047 m: 16
1,524 to 2,437 m: 27
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 4 (2013)
 

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 132
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 72
914 to 1,523 m: 37
under 914 m: 
16 (2013)
 

Heliports:

10 (2013)
 

Pipelines:

condensate 209 km; gas 2,940 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,183 km; oil 5,117 km; refined products 1,151 km (2013)
 

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) (2008)
 

Roadways:

total: 221,372 km
country comparison to the world: 22
paved: 47,529 km (includes 3,891 km of expressways)
unpaved: 173,843 km (2006)
 

Merchant marine:

total: 72
country comparison to the world: 61
by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 25, container 4, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 7
foreign-owned: 15 (Egypt 1, Greece 4, Kuwait 4, UAE 6)
registered in other countries: 55 (Bahamas 16, Dominica 2, Liberia 20, Malta 2, Norway 3, Panama 11, Tanzania 1) (2010)
 

Ports and terminals:

major seaport(s): Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jeddah, Yanbu al Bahr
container port(s) (TEUs): Ad Dammam (1,492,315), Jeddah (4,010,448)

Energy ::SAUDI ARABIA
 

Electricity - production:
 
239.2 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
 

Electricity - consumption:

190.9 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
 

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
 

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
 

Electricity - installed generating capacity:

49.05 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
 

Electricity - from fossil fuels:

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
 

Electricity - from nuclear fuels:

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
 

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
 

Electricity - from other renewable sources:

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
 

Crude oil - production:

11.73 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
 

Crude oil - exports:

6.88 million bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
 

Crude oil - imports:

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
 

Crude oil - proved reserves:

267.9 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
 

Refined petroleum products - production:

1.935 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
 

Refined petroleum products - consumption:

2.817 million bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
 

Refined petroleum products - exports:

1.471 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
 

Refined petroleum products - imports:

196,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
 

Natural gas - production:

103.2 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
 

Natural gas - consumption:

99.23 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
 

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
 

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
 

Natural gas - proved reserves:

8.15 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
 

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:

513.5 million Mt (2011 est.)

A total of 303 Realistic Export Opportunities (REOs) from South Africa to Saudi Arabia are identified based on the North-West University’s (South Africa) TRADE Decision Support Model (DSM).

The methodology is a very useful instrument to identify market opportunities globally for one’s product and also provides a good reference for one to be able to prioritise marketing efforts based on the value and size of these opportunities.

The TRADE-DSM Navigator provides sound information that companies are able to use in developing their export marketing strategy and forms the basis and guidance for further research should this be required.

In total 303 of the products associated with import demand are identified as realistic export opportunities. The relative 'untapped' potential of the market opportunity is shown in the chart below:

A total 'untapped' potential from South Africa's perspective of approximately 1.20 (in million US dollar terms) based on the average value of the top 6 supplying countries (excluding South Africa) are associated with these specific product export opportunities.

The highest number of identified opportunities are associated with the economic sector of

Food (301-304) .

Not all sectors will be present, as not all economic sectors (some of which are based on economic activity while the REOs are based on traded products) are relevant for all products. However, various other sectors also do exhibit potential.

While the above examples are based on high level economic sectors, the information is available at a much more granular level on the HS 6-digit tariff code level. To demonstrate the following example of a product description is provided:

HS CHAPTER 84:
NUCLEAR REACTORS, BOILERS, MACHINERY AND MECHANICAL APPLIANCES; PARTS THEREOF
Sub-heading 84.27:
Fork-lift trucks; other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment:
HS 6-digit product code 8427.10:
Self-propelled trucks powered by an electric motor.

Research reports containing more detailed information related to these realistic export opportunities (down to product level as illustrated with the above product description) for each country are available from TIKZN.

Please contact us if you are interested in more detail by clicking here.

For an example of a more detailed country report please click here.

Please note that a more up-to-date version for the specific country report used in this example is available from TIKZN. This report is provided for demonstration purposes only and should not be used for any decision-making.

For more in-depth research you can also contact our NWU knowledge partners at
TRADE Research Advisory.

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Ref	Date Received	Officials Details	Nature of Enquiry
Ref	Date Received	Officials Details	Nature of Enquiry