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Saudi Arabia: Quick Facts

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Last updated
Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles as Aramco building in Riyadh is damaged, and other Mideast news • Nov. 8, 2026, 9:06 PM ET (AP)
Saudi Arabia turns to Syria for help as fighting with Houthis escalates • Nov. 8, 2026, 1:57 PM ET (AP)
Asian Cup soccer tournament in Saudi Arabia postponed because of conflict in the Middle East • Nov. 3, 2026, 9:14 AM ET (AP)
Saudi Arabia says drone intercepted near Islam's holiest city, and other Mideast news • Oct. 30, 2026, 8:10 AM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As Al-Mamlakah al-ʿArabiyyah al-Suʿūdiyyah
Head Of State And Government King: Salman bin Abdulaziz, assisted by Prime Minister: Mohammed bin Salman
Capital Riyadh
Population (2026 est.) 38,487,000
Currency Exchange Rate 1 USD equals 3.750 Saudi Arabian riyal
Form Of Government monarchy1
Official Language Arabic
Official Religion Islam
Official Name المملكة العربية السعودية (Al-Mamlakah al-ʿArabiyyah al-Suʿūdiyyah; “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”)
Total Area (Sq Km) 2,149,690
Total Area (Sq Mi) 830,000
Monetary Unit Saudi riyal (SR)
Population Rank (2026) 38
Population Projection 2030 38,591,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2026) 46.4
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2026) 17.9
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2024) 85.2% • Rural: (2024) 14.8%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: (2022) 75.3 years • Female: (2022) 80.9 years
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2024) 1,257,849
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2024) 35,630
1Additionally, the Consultative Council (consisting of 150 appointed members) acts as an advisory body.

Did You Know?

  • Saudi Arabian citizens make up only about 64% of the total population of the country.
  • Women in Saudi Arabia cannot legally have elective surgery without permission from a male guardian.
  • Around two million Muslims make the hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca in Saudi Arabia every year.

Photos and Videos

Saudi Arabia
Political map of Saudi Arabia showing its national boundaries, major cities including Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina, and surrounding countries such as Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. The map also features a small locator inset highlighting Saudi Arabia's position on the Arabian Peninsula.
Map highlighting Saudi Arabia in orange at the center of the Arabian Peninsula, surrounded by neighboring countries including Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen, with nearby bodies of water such as the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea.
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Map of Saudi Arabia and surrounding countries highlighting major physical features such as deserts, mountain ranges, and salt flats. Notable features include the Rub al-Khali Desert, Al-Nafud Desert, and Mount Sawda. The map also shows international borders, major cities, and a small locator map at the bottom right indicating Saudi Arabia's position within the Middle East.
Rolling red sand dunes with sparse green shrubs in the foreground and a flat-topped hill in the background, in the desert near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ṭuwayq Mountains
Rubʿ al-Khali
Arabian Desert
Modernity and tradition in Saudi Arabia
Watch how dairy cows are kept comfortable in Saudi Arabia
Uncover the everyday challenges and struggles faced by women in Saudi Arabia
Witness the annual hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca, Saudi Arabi
National anthem of Saudi Arabia
See All Videos, Images, Audio and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic
Mohammed bin Salman
Mohammed bin Salman
crown prince of Saudi Arabia
Ibn Saud
Ibn Saud
king of Saudi Arabia
King Salman ibn Abdulaziz
Salman of Saudi Arabia
king of Saudi Arabia
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
king of Saudi Arabia
King Khalid of Saudi Arabia
Khalid of Saudi Arabia
king of Saudi Arabia
King Fahd of Saudi Arabia
Fahd of Saudi Arabia
king of Saudi Arabia
King Faisal of Saudi Arabia seated in an official portrait, wearing traditional Saudi attire with a white head covering and brown robe, looking slightly to the side.
Faisal of Saudi Arabia
king of Saudi Arabia
King Saud of Saudi Arabia
Saud of Saudi Arabia
king of Saudi Arabia

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