Country profile
Saudi Arabia
The world's largest crude oil exporter, also a major supplier of plastics and petrochemicals, diversifying under Vision 2030.
Updated 11 November 2026. Sources at the bottom of the page.
- Capital
- Riyadh
- Population
- 36.7 million (2026)
- Currency
- Saudi riyal (SAR)
- GDP, 2026
- US$1.34 trillion
- Exports, 2024
- US$305.4 billion
- Exchange rate
- 1 USD = 3.75 SAR (fixed peg)
Economy
IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2026. 2026 and 2027 are IMF projections.
-3.3%Real GDP growth, 2026
7.9%Real GDP growth, 2027
1.9%Inflation, 2026
35.4% of GDPGovernment debt, 2026
-3.5% of GDPCurrent account, 2026
Compare Saudi Arabia with other countries →
Trade
Top export markets
Share of the country’s exports, 2025
- China (15.2%)
- South Korea (9.4%)
- Japan (9.3%)
- India (8.9%)
- United Arab Emirates (7.6%)
Main exports
Product groups, share of exports
- Mineral fuels, including crude oil (73.2%)
- Plastics (6.1%)
- Organic chemicals (3.7%)
- Electrical machinery and equipment (2.6%)
- Ships and boats (2.6%)
Main trade agreements
- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) customs union
- Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA)
- GCC free trade agreements with EFTA and Singapore
Trade policy to watch
- Vision 2030: government programmes to build manufacturing, mining and logistics beyond oil.
- Local content: government and Saudi Aramco purchasing favour local content and suppliers with a Saudi presence.
- Riyal peg: the riyal is pegged to the US dollar at 3.75, so currency risk against the dollar is low.
Energy
Oil and natural gas supply almost all of Saudi Arabia's energy and electricity. Large solar and wind projects are being built.
What it means for your supply chain
- Saudi Arabia is a major source of polyethylene, polypropylene and other petrochemicals.
- Suppliers selling to Saudi government or Aramco projects may need local content plans or a local entity.
- Gulf shipping routes can be disrupted by regional conflict; plan buffer stock for critical items.
Saudi Arabia in the Supplier Hub
6 companies in the Supplier Hub are listed under Saudi Arabia.
Sources
- IMF, World Economic Outlook, October 2026: GDP, growth, inflation, unemployment, government debt, current account (2026 and 2027 are projections; updated automatically).
- IMF, World Economic Outlook database: population (2026 estimate).
- World’s Top Exports: export markets (shares are 2024 data) and main exports (2024 data).
- The Saudi riyal is pegged to the US dollar at 3.75.
- Energy Institute, Statistical Review of World Energy 2026: energy profile.
Figures are the latest published at the time of the update and may since have been revised. This page is for general information, not investment or legal advice.