Saudi Arabia: environment

What are Saudi Arabia's carbon dioxide emissions per person?

Saudi Arabia emitted 18.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use, according to the World Bank. The figure was 18.9 tonnes in 2023 and 19.3 tonnes in 2022.

The figure covers CO2 from burning fossil fuels and industrial processes. Steam and gas units made up most of the licensed electricity generating capacity in 2024. Renewable energy capacity rose to 12,313 MW at the end of 2025, according to GASTAT.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Saudi Arabia · GASTAT: Renewable Energy Statistics 2025

How bad is air pollution in Saudi Arabia?

People in Saudi Arabia were exposed to an average of 73.5 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank. The figure was 77.8 in 2022 and 73.7 in 2021.

The PM2.5 figure is a modelled, population-weighted average, and covers particles from natural sources such as dust as well as from traffic and industry. Air quality is monitored by the National Center for Environmental Compliance.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure, Saudi Arabia · National Center for Environmental Compliance

How much electricity does Saudi Arabia use?

Saudi Arabia consumed about 340,430 gigawatt-hours of electricity in 2024, up 4.1% from 2023, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The grid received 402,628 GWh, up 5.7%. Homes used 47.4% of electricity, industry 18.6%, commercial users 17.3% and government 11.0%. The average household used 18,590 kilowatt-hours.

Losses in the transmission and distribution networks were 8.5% of electricity sent to the grid, down from 9.5%. Steam units had 41.8 gigawatts of licensed capacity and gas units 29.3 gigawatts. The data come from the Ministry of Energy.

Official sources: GASTAT: Electrical Energy Statistics 2024

How much renewable energy does Saudi Arabia have?

Saudi Arabia had 15 operating renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 12,313 megawatts at the end of 2025, up 88.0% from 2024, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). Five new solar projects with 5,762 MW started operating in 2025. Cumulative investment in operating projects reached about SAR 36.11 billion.

GASTAT estimates the projects could supply about 2.08 million housing units. Renewable capacity was about 6.6 gigawatts at the end of 2024, against about 92.5 gigawatts of total licensed generating capacity, GASTAT's electrical energy statistics show.

Official sources: GASTAT: Renewable Energy Statistics 2025 · GASTAT: Electrical Energy Statistics 2024

How much of Saudi Arabia is protected?

Saudi Arabia's terrestrial and marine nature reserves covered 375,000 square kilometres in 2024, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Environment Statistics 2024. The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve was the largest land reserve, at 131,000 km², or 36.2% of the protected land area. The Farasan Islands Marine Reserve made up 40.1% of marine reserves.

GASTAT also reports that degraded land fell to 5.9% of land area, 113,000 km², in 2015 to 2023. 70 land plant and animal species were classed as endangered.

Official sources: GASTAT: Environment Statistics 2024

How much green space is there in Saudi cities?

Green areas in Saudi Arabia's urban areas covered 234 million square metres in 2024, or 7 square metres per person, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Environment Statistics 2024. The Northern Borders region had the most per person, at 22 m², followed by Al-Baha at 20 m². Riyadh Region had the least, at 4 m² per person.

Green areas include parks, gardens, planted sidewalks and squares managed by municipalities.

Official sources: GASTAT: Environment Statistics 2024

How much CO2 does Saudi Arabia emit per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Saudi Arabia was 18.5 tonnes in 2024. The peak was 20.7 tonnes in 2014 and the low 16.8 tonnes in 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 3.6 tonnes, and Saudi Arabia placed 5th highest of 22. Worldwide: 8th of 186.

What are Saudi Arabia's emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 839 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. That is the highest since at least 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 103 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Saudi Arabia is 2nd highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 9th of 186.

How much of Saudi Arabia's energy is renewable?

0.1%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Saudi Arabia for 2021, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 17th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 3.4%. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 184th highest.

How much of Saudi Arabia is forest?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 1.3%. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 13th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 1.6%. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 177th highest.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Saudi Arabia?

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Saudi Arabia was 73.5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. The peak was 77.8 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022 and the low 63.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2014. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 40.3 micrograms per cubic metre, and Saudi Arabia placed 2nd highest of 22. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 2nd highest.

How much of Saudi Arabia's land is protected?

18.5%: that is the share of land in protected areas in Saudi Arabia for 2025, according to the UN Environment Programme. Since 2013 it has ranged from 4.3% (2016) to 31.3% (2013). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 9.8%, and Saudi Arabia placed 6th highest of 22. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 91st highest.

How much of Saudi Arabia's fresh water is used?

According to the FAO, water stress in Saudi Arabia was 974.2% in 2022. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 116.7%, and Saudi Arabia placed 3rd highest of 21. Worldwide: 3rd of 175.