Saudi
Arabia
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.
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: 14
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:
|
Current
Weather
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:
|
16,200 sq
km (2003)
|
|
Total
renewable water resources:
|
2.4 cu km
(1997)
|
|
Freshwater
withdrawal
(domestic/industrial/agricultural):
|
total: 17.32
cu km/yr (10%/1%/89%)
per capita:
705
cu 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
Population:
|
25,731,776
country
comparison to the world: 46
note:
includes
5,576,076 non-nationals (July
2010 est.)
|
|
Age
structure:
|
0-14 years:
38%
(male 5,557,453/female
5,340,614)
15-64
years: 59.5%
(male 9,608,032/female
7,473,543)
65 years
and over: 2.5%
(male 363,241/female 343,750)
(2010 est.)
|
|
Median
age:
|
total: 24.9
years
male: 26
years
female: 23.4
years (2010 est.)
|
|
Population
growth rate:
|
1.548%
(2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 80 |
|
Birth
rate:
|
19.43
births/1,000 population (2010
est.)
country
comparison to the world: 101 |
|
Death
rate:
|
3.34
deaths/1,000 population (July
2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 219 |
|
Net
migration rate:
|
-0.61
migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2010 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 146 |
|
Urbanization:
|
urban
population: 82%
of total population (2008)
rate of
urbanization: 2.5%
annual rate of change (2005-10
est.)
|
|
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 (2010 est.)
|
|
Infant
mortality rate:
|
total: 16.73
deaths/1,000 live births
country
comparison to the world: 112
male: 19.19
deaths/1,000 live births
female: 14.14
deaths/1,000 live births (2010
est.)
|
|
Life
expectancy at birth:
|
total
population: 73.87
years
country
comparison to the world: 109
male: 71.93
years
female: 75.9
years (2010 est.)
|
|
Total
fertility rate:
|
2.35
children born/woman (2010
est.)
country
comparison to the world: 100 |
|
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
|
|
Nationality:
|
noun: Saudi(s)
adjective: Saudi
or Saudi Arabian
|
|
Ethnic
groups:
|
Arab 90%,
Afro-Asian 10%
|
|
Religions:
|
Muslim 100%
|
|
Languages:
|
Arabic
(official)
|
|
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 (2008)
|
|
Education
expenditures:
|
5.7% of GDP
(2008)
country
comparison to the world: 41
|
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:
|
based on
sharia law, several secular
codes have been introduced;
commercial disputes handled by
special committees; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
|
|
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 SULTAN bin Abd
al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother
of the monarch); 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 SULTAN bin Abd al-Aziz
Al Saud; Second 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
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
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. Roughly
5.5 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 economic
development. Five years of
high oil prices during 2004-08
gave the Kingdom ample
financial reserves to manage
the impact of the global
financial crisis, but tight
international credit, falling
oil prices, and the global
economic slowdown reduced
Saudi economic growth in 2009,
prompting the postponement of
some economic development
projects. Saudi authorities
supported the banking sector
during the crisis by making
direct capital injections into
banks, reducing rates, and
publicly affirming the
government's guarantee of bank
deposits.
|
|
GDP
(purchasing power parity):
|
$590.9
billion (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 23
$590.3
billion (2008 est.)
$565.9
billion (2007 est.)
note:
data
are in 2009 US dollars
|
|
GDP
(official exchange rate):
|
$376.3
billion (2009 est.)
|
|
GDP -
real growth rate:
|
0.1% (2009
est.)
country
comparison to the world: 115
4.3% (2008
est.)
2% (2007
est.)
|
|
GDP -
per capita (PPP):
|
$23,300
(2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 55
$23,700
(2008 est.)
$23,100
(2007 est.)
note:
data
are in 2009 US dollars
|
|
GDP -
composition by sector:
|
agriculture:
2.9%
industry: 59.7%
services: 37.4%
(2009 est.)
|
|
Labor
force:
|
7.193
million
country
comparison to the world: 62
note:
about
80% of the labor force is
non-national (2009 est.)
|
|
Labor
force - by occupation:
|
agriculture:
6.7%
industry: 21.4%
services: 71.9%
(2005 est.)
|
|
Unemployment
rate:
|
10.5% (2009
est.)
country
comparison to the world: 121
9.8% (2008
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):
|
26.1% of
GDP (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 36 |
|
Budget:
|
revenues: $135.9
billion
expenditures:
$159
billion (2009 est.)
|
|
Public
debt:
|
22.6% of
GDP (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 101
18.7% of
GDP (2008 est.)
|
|
Inflation
rate (consumer prices):
|
5.1% (2009
est.)
country
comparison to the world: 145
9.9% (2008
est.)
|
|
Central
bank discount rate:
|
2.5% (31
December 2008)
NA% (31
December 2007)
|
|
Commercial
bank prime lending rate:
|
NA%
|
|
Stock of
narrow money:
|
$139.2
billion (31 December 2009)
$113.6
billion (31 December 2008)
|
|
Stock of
broad money:
|
$277.1
billion (31 December 2009
est.)
$250
billion (31 December 2008
est.)
|
|
Stock of
domestic credit:
|
$2.248
billion (31 December 2009)
country
comparison to the world: 119
$18.99
billion (31 December 2008)
|
|
Market
value of publicly traded
shares:
|
$318.7
billion (31 December 2009)
country
comparison to the world: 24
$246.3
billion (31 December 2008)
$515.1
billion (31 December 2007)
|
|
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:
|
-2.8% (2009
est.)
country
comparison to the world: 96 |
|
Electricity
- production:
|
179.1
billion kWh (2007 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 21 |
|
Electricity
- consumption:
|
165.1
billion kWh (2007 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 20 |
|
Electricity
- exports:
|
0 kWh (2008
est.)
|
|
Electricity
- imports:
|
0 kWh (2008
est.)
|
|
Oil -
production:
|
9.764
million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 2 |
|
Oil -
consumption:
|
2.43
million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 9 |
|
Oil -
exports:
|
8.728
million bbl/day (2007 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 1 |
|
Oil -
imports:
|
79,250
bbl/day (2007 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 74 |
|
Oil -
proved reserves:
|
264.6
billion bbl (1 January 2010
est.)
country
comparison to the world: 1 |
|
Natural
gas - production:
|
77.1
billion cu m (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 10 |
|
Natural
gas - consumption:
|
77.1
billion cu m (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 11 |
|
Natural
gas - exports:
|
0 cu m
(2008 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 130 |
|
Natural
gas - imports:
|
0 cu m
(2008 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 135 |
|
Natural
gas - proved reserves:
|
7.461
trillion cu m (1 January 2010
est.)
country
comparison to the world: 5 |
|
Current
account balance:
|
$22.77
billion (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 15
$132.3
billion (2008 est.)
|
|
Exports:
|
$192.3
billion (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 20
$313.5
billion (2008 est.)
|
|
Exports
- commodities:
|
petroleum
and petroleum products 90%
|
|
Exports
- partners:
|
Japan
15.33%, South Korea 12.71%, US
12.2%, China 10.38%, India
7.12%, Taiwan 4.54%, Singapore
4.25% (2009)
|
|
Imports:
|
$87.1
billion (2009 est.)
country
comparison to the world: 31
$101.5
billion (2008 est.)
|
|
Imports
- commodities:
|
machinery
and equipment, foodstuffs,
chemicals, motor vehicles,
textiles
|
|
Imports
- partners:
|
US 12.32%,
China 12.06%, Germany 7.67%,
Japan 6.15%, South Korea
5.32%, India 4.99%, UK 4.72%,
France 4.05% (2009)
|
|
Reserves
of foreign exchange and gold:
|
$410.1
billion (31 December 2009
est.)
country
comparison to the world: 4
$442.7
billion (31 December 2008
est.)
|
|
Debt -
external:
|
$72.77
billion (31 December 2009
est.)
country
comparison to the world: 41
$79.16
billion (31 December 2008
est.)
|
|
Stock of
direct foreign investment - at
home:
|
$167
billion (31 December 2009
est.)
country
comparison to the world: 23
$131.5
billion (31 December 2008
est.)
|
|
Stock of
direct foreign investment -
abroad:
|
$11.41
billion (31 December 2009
est.)
country
comparison to the world: 47
$4.886
billion (31 December 2008
est.)
|
|
Exchange
rates:
|
Saudi
riyals (SAR) per US dollar -
3.75 (2009), 3.75 (2008),
3.745 (2007), 3.745 (2006),
3.747 (2005)
|
|
|
|
|
Communications
Telephones
- main lines in use:
|
4.171
million (2009)
country
comparison to the world: 36 |
|
Telephones
- mobile cellular:
|
44.864
million (2009)
country
comparison to the world: 27 |
|
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)
(2008)
|
|
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:
|
488,598
(2010)
country
comparison to the world: 51 |
|
Internet
users:
|
9.774
million (2009)
country
comparison to the world: 30
|
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 1,880 km; liquid
petroleum gas 1,183 km; oil
4,241 km; refined products
1,148 km (2009)
|
|
Railways:
|
total: 1,392
km
country
comparison to the world: 83
standard
gauge: 1,392
km 1.435-m gauge (with branch
lines and sidings) (2008)
|
|
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: 59
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
8) (2010)
|
|
Ports
and terminals:
|
Ad Dammam,
Al Jubayl, Jiddah, Yanbu' al
Sinaiyah
|
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: 8,752,167
females age
16-49: 6,680,315
(2010 est.)
|
|
Manpower
fit for military service:
|
males age
16-49: 7,560,216
females age
16-49: 5,773,033
(2010 est.)
|
|
Manpower
reaching militarily
significant age annually:
|
male: 280,041
female: 269,580
(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 workers from South
and Southeast Asia who are
subjected to conditions that
constitute involuntary
servitude including being
subjected to physical and
sexual abuse, non-payment of
wages, confinement, and
withholding of passports as a
restriction on their movement;
domestic workers are
particularly vulnerable
because some are confined to
the house in which they work
unable to seek help; Saudi
Arabia is also a destination
country for Nigerian, Yemeni,
Pakistani, Afghan, Somali,
Malian, and Sudanese children
trafficked for forced begging
and involuntary servitude as
street vendors; some Nigerian
women were reportedly
trafficked into Saudi Arabia
for commercial sexual
exploitation
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; the government
continues to lack adequate
anti-trafficking laws and,
despite evidence of widespread
trafficking abuses, did not
report any criminal
prosecutions, convictions, or
prison sentences for
trafficking crimes committed
against foreign domestic
workers (2008)
|
|
Illicit
drugs:
|
death
penalty for traffickers;
improving
anti-money-laundering
legislation and enforcement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|