

Capital: Riyadh. Business hub: Jeddah
23.9 million inhabitants
56% under 20 years old
High unemployment, strong poverty
Relative evolution of women status
GDP: US$349 billion, real growth: 4.2%
GDP per capita: US$14,581
1st Arab economy, heavily oil reliant. Slow diversification. Liberalization to accelerate with WTO accession.
Focus on residential developments. Launch of major ‘economic cities’.
First regional tourist destination due to pilgrimage.
Retail surface expected to double by 2010. Shift from street shopping to malls. New developments with improved standards.