Instead of income tax, they have the zakat. This is an impost of 2.5% that is levied on assets and not income. It is only required of Muslims but not foreign workers.
62. Saudi Arabia is Heavily Reliant on Foreign Labor
60% of the Saudi workforce is made up of foreigners. Most Saudis work in the public sector and they have little incentive to join the private sector.
63. Female Labor Participation is Around 20%
This is the eight-lowest female labor participation rate in the world. Japan has a rate of 49% while in the U.S it is about 47%.
Geography & Physical Features
64. Only 1.45% Of Saudi Arabia is Arable, 95% is Desert or Semi-Desert
It has some of the biggest desert areas including Rub al-Khali and An Nafud. It is the largest nation in the world without a river.
Saudi Arabia has the world’s tallest water fountain which is called King Fahd’s Fountain. The fountain jets water to up to 260 meters. The World Cup Fountain in South Korea is the second tallest with a height of 202 meters.
66. World’s Largest Desalination Plant
The world’s largest desalination plant, the al-Jubail, is found in Saudi Arabia. It treats over 1.4 million cubic meters of water daily.
67. World’s First 1 Km Tower
Once completed, the Jeddah Tower will become the world’s first 1km high building. This tower will be taller than 491 LeBron James who stand on top of each other. LeBron James stands at 2.03 meters. It will be the centerpiece of the Jeddah Economic City that is meant to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil.
68. The Persian Gulf Controversy
Most maps of the Middle East use the name Persian Gulf; however, in Saudi Arabia, the name Arabian Gulf is used.
A World Bank report concluded that Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, and Malaysia are the most dangerous countries to drive. When measured in terms of fatalities per vehicle, Saudi Arabia fared worse.
70. Sidewalk Skiing
Sidewalk skiing an exciting but dangerous driving technique was invented by motorists in Saudi Arabia. It involves balancing a vehicle on its side while driving.
Saudi Arabia – quick facts and statistics
Independence
23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
Capital City
Riyadh
24°39′N 46°46′E
Largest City
Riyadh
Area
total: 2,149,690 sq km
land: 2,149,690 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Population
34,783,757 (July 2021 est.)
Official Language
Arabic
Demonym
Saudi
Saudi Arabian
Government type
Unitary Islamic absolute monarchy
Suffrage
18 years of age; restricted to males; universal for municipal elections
King
Salman bin Abdulaziz
Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman
National symbol
palm tree surmounting two crossed swords
National colors
green, white
Borders
Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, U.A.E, Oman, and Yemen.
Currency
Saudi Riyal (SR) (SAR)
Religion
Islam
Life expectancy at birth
76.4 years (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.
Literacy rate
97.6% (age 15 and over can read and write)
Terrain
mostly sandy desert
Mean elevation
665 m
Lowest point
Persian Gulf 0 m
Highest point
As Sarawat range, 3,000 m
Coastline
2,640 km
Climate
harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Birth rate
14.56 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate
3.39 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratio
1.3 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$44,300
Industries
petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair, water desalination, food processing, construction materials
