Saudi Arabia
🇸🇦 Western Asia · Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
How Saudi Arabia ranks globally
About Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia (officially Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) is a country in Western Asia, with Riyadh as its capital. It is home to roughly 36.97 million people, giving a population density of about 17 people per square kilometre. The country covers 2,149,690 km² of land and shares land borders with 7 neighbouring countries. Its economy is valued at approximately $1.28T in nominal GDP (2025), and it records a Human Development Index of 0.900. The official currency is the Saudi riyal (SAR), and the main language is Arabic.
Key indicators
💹 Economy
👥 People
🌍 Quality of Life
GDP over time
How Saudi Arabia measures up
How Saudi Arabia is governed
Head of state and government; holds nearly all power.
Chairs the Council of Ministers; supreme executive authority.
Unicameral (advisory) — Shura Council — 150 members, appointed, advisory only
Who holds the power?
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy governed by the Al Saud royal family. The King holds legislative, executive and judicial authority, chairs the Council of Ministers and serves as head of state and government. There is no elected national legislature — the Consultative Assembly is appointed and can only advise. The legal system is based on Islamic (Sharia) law, and the King's power is constrained mainly by religious authorities and consensus within the royal family.
Did you know?
Saudi Arabia is the 43rd most populous country in the world, with about 36.97 million people.
By land area it is the 12th-largest country in the world, covering 2,149,690 km².
It has the world's 19th-largest economy by nominal GDP ($1.28T).
Saudi Arabia shares land borders with 7 countries.
It is classed by the UN as a country of very high human development, with an HDI of 0.900.
Saudi Arabia has a population density of about 17 people per square kilometre.
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Neighbouring countries
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