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SAUDI ARABIA
Population (2003 est.): 24.3 million (18.7 million Saudis, 5.6 million foreign nationals).
Annual growth rate: 3.1%.
Ethnic groups: Arab (90% of native pop.), Afro-Asian (10% of native pop.).
Religion: Islam.
Language: Arabic (official).
Education: Literacy--male 84.7%, female 77.8%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--48/1,000. Life expectancy--male 67 years, female 71 years.
Work force: 7.0 million (about 35% foreign workers); industry--25%; services (including government)--63%; agriculture--12%. |
| Most Saudis are ethnically Arab. Some are of mixed ethnic origin and are descended from Turks, Iranians, Indonesians, Indians, Africans, and others, most of whom immigrated as pilgrims and reside in the Hijaz region along the Red Sea coast. Many Arabs from nearby countries are employed in the kingdom. There also are significant numbers of expatriate workers from North America, South Asia, Europe, and East Asia. |
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