International Relations of Saudi Arabia

Country profile & diplomacy overview · 70 relations tracked

Saudi Arabia is a country located in the Middle East, and is the largest Arab state in Western Asia by land area. It is bordered by Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. Saudi Arabia is a key player in the region, and has significant influence over the Arab and Muslim worlds.

Population

37.0M#43 of 205

Land area

2.1M km²#12 of 205

GDP

$1.3T#19 of 199

Military expenditure

$80.3B#7 of 167

Global influence

#29Medium

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Closest relations Strained relations Saudi Arabia No data

The country is a monarchy, with the Al Saud family ruling over the government. The current ruling king is King Salman, who has been in power since 2015. Saudi Arabia is a major exporter of oil, and is one of the world's largest producers of crude oil and natural gas. The country's economy is heavily reliant on the oil industry, and it is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Saudi Arabia is also an important ally of the United States, and the two countries have a long-standing strategic partnership. The US has provided military and economic assistance to Saudi Arabia, and the two countries have a shared interest in ensuring the stability of the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia is known for its strict adherence to the Wahhabi interpretation of Islam, and the country has been criticized for its treatment of women and minorities, as well as its human rights record. The country is also involved in ongoing conflicts in the region, including the civil war in Yemen.

Geography & terrain

Dominated by vast desert — including the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter), one of the largest sand deserts on Earth — with mountain ranges along the Red Sea coast in the west and a long coastline on both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Hot, arid desert climate with extreme summer temperatures. The sheer scale and harshness of the interior desert have historically been a formidable natural barrier to invasion, even as the coasts remain open to sea power.

Key facts

Diverse sources: UN, World Bank, Saudi Arabia Statistics Office/Department. Most recent available data
Capital	Riyadh (7.7M people, 20.8% of total population)
Population	37.0M (2025) (#43 of 205 countries)
Land area	2.1M km² (#12 of 205 countries)
Main religion	Islam
Life expectancy	75 years

Source: World Bank Open Data. Most recent available data (2025)
Currency	Saudi Riyal
Main language(s)	Arabic
Government type	Absolute monarchy
Time zone	UTC+3.0
GDP	$1.3T (#19 of 199 countries)
GDP per capita	$34.5K (#41 of 199 countries)
International calling code	+966
Driving side	Right
UNESCO World Heritage Sites	8
Military expenditure	$80.3B (2024)
Land military expenditure (estimation)	$28.1B
Air military expenditure (estimation)	$36.1B
Naval military expenditure (estimation)	$16.1B
Military expenditure (% of GDP)	7.3%
Military expenditure per capita	$2.2K
Nuclear power	No
European Union	Not a member
NATO	Not a member
Other groups	G20 Arab League

Shares a land border with 7 countries — here is how those relations stand

Saudi Arabia's relations with its neighbors

Most similar countries, by language, currency, GDP per capita, borders & international groups

Rank #29 Medium International Influence

Saudi Arabia's actions have a limited effect on the world or on other countries.

See the full world influence ranking →

Most intense relations

Top 5 relations of Saudi Arabia by overall intensity. Intensity reflects the level and significance of interaction—not whether the relationship is positive or negative.