In response to the growing interest in Saudi Arabia’s economic developments at the local, regional and international levels, and in order to increase general awareness of these developments, the Ministry of Economy and Planning continues to publish vital
economic information and statistical data.


The aim of this publication: “Saudi Economy in Figures (٢٠١١)” is to highlight the main features of Saudi economic developments, and to provide latest information and statistics to meet the growing need for them. This booklet provides summary statistics on the population census; GDP estimates and growth rates; main indicators of public finance, banking statistics, stock market; foreign trade and balance of payments. It also provides basic information on oil industry, water, electricity, roads, manufacturing, and developments in human resources.


This booklet complements Ministry's other publications, especially development plan
documents which provide detailed, comprehensive information on the Kingdom’s economy and its development strategy.


While the Ministry of Economy and Planning hopes that the information and statistics in this booklet will meet the needs of a wide range of users of economic data, it welcomes any feedback and suggestions which would help enhance the usefulness of this publication.

   Intensive development efforts continued in 2010. These efforts aimed at raising the standard of living and improving quality of life of citizens through on-going development of the national economic structure, improvement of productivity and enhancement of the competitiveness of Saudi products in both domestic and international markets. Furthermore, efforts continued to improve investment climate and business environment.
These efforts led to an increase in the private sector participation and the contribution of non-oil sectors to the GDP. Furthermore, these achievements led to the creation of additional job opportunities for citizens as well as provision of several promising investment opportunities for the private sector. This year also witnessed more quantitative expansion and qualitative development of education, health and social services as well as completion of more infrastructure projects, all of which had a positive impact on the standard of living and quality of life of citizens.

   Over the nineties of the past century and the post-2000 years, several international summits and conferences were convened, with the aim of formulating a common development vision that would respond to the existing needs and new challenges within a framework of partnership at both the national and international levels. A large number of topics were addressed, including: population, social development, women and gender equality, human settlements, children, old age, education, human rights, information and communications technology, sustainable development and other issues. These forums succeeded in generating a substantial momentum for attaining harmony and integration of efforts and intensifying action at all levels in order to achieve the stated objectives.

    The Ninth Development Plan comes at a crucial distinctive point in the history of the development of the Kingdom. Subsequent to the remarkable comprehensive achievements and the quantum leap accomplished by the Kingdom since the inception of its five-year plans, nearly four decades ago, the Ninth Five-Year Plan comes at a time when speeding up the process of development has become imperative. The world is witnessing accelerated developmental dynamics that require enhancement and acceleration of development efforts. Determination by the State to achieve this is reflected in the expenditure programme embedded in the plan

   The Ninth Development Plan is a continuation of the developmental approach adopted by the Kingdom throughout the past four decades. This approach combines the directive planning of government activity and indicative planning of private activity within a framework of developmental paths and the future vision defined by the long-term strategic planning.

   The Eighth Development Plan marks a fresh chapter in the development process of the Kingdom, whose experience profiles a vivid record of achievements since it was founded and unified by the late King Abdul Aziz, who laid the groundwork for the Kingdom's development, and later by his great sons who followed in his footsteps. As a result, the Kingdom has come to experience wide-ranging and impressive advances in economic, industrial and development fields, coupled with rising ambitions to achieve much more advancement and progress, along with continued improvement of the living standards and quality of life of Saudi citizens in all regions of the Kingdom.

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a planning tradition that spans over 30 years. The formal planning process, which started in 1970 (1390 Hijra), enabled the Saudi Government to make prudent decisions in the allocation and utilization of its resources for development. During the last four decades, the Kingdom underwent tremendous transformation under the eight development plans, which saw the rapid growth of income and living standards of the people, accompanied by dramatic improvements in social and physical infrastructure.

   Intensive efforts to sustain development continued in 1428/29 (2008). These efforts aimed at raising living standards, improving quality of life, and promoting further structural changes, including horizontal and vertical diversification of the Kingdom’s economic base. They have resulted in an increased contribution of production sectors to the GDP, enhanced productivity, and higher competitiveness of Saudi products in both domestic and foreign markets. In addition, education, health and social services have not only expanded but also improved in quality. 2008 also saw completion of several infrastructure projects. These achievements have led to the creation of additional job opportunities for the national workforce as well as creation of several promising investment opportunities for the private sector.

   The Kingdom’s National Day anniversary comes this year at a time when the comprehensive development renaissance, the foundations of which were laid by the Founder King, is continuing apace. Building on the intellectual, institutional and management foundations laid by the Founder King, and guided by his ideas and practices in development planning and economic management, his sons and successors have continued the efforts that have resulted in remarkable achievements and successes

   A major landmark on the socioeconomic development path of the Kingdom, the Eighth Development Plan is the first five-year plan prepared in the context of a long-term development strategy with definite targets and objectives; a strategy designed to provide a framework for four successive five-year plans until 2024, aimed at achieving a comprehensive