Politics & Government Guide · Saudi ArabiaPolitics & Government Guide in Saudi Arabia
Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy ruled de facto by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who serves as Prime Minister and holds centralized power. No political parties or national elections are permitted, with governance based on Sharia and royal decrees. Reforms under Vision 2030 aim at economic diversification amid ongoing human rights concerns and high domestic government trust.
Democracy Index
Poor
Government Type
Absolute Monarchy
Legal System
Islamic law (Sharia) based on Quran and Sunnah
Head of State
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud(since 2015)
Head of Government
Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud(Not applicable)since 2022
Political Indicators
Press Freedom
Scale: 0-100
Reporters Without Borders (2024)
Democracy Index
Scale: 0-10
Authoritarian
Economist Intelligence Unit (2022)
Legislature
Voting Rights
No national elections for legislative or executive positions. Municipal elections exist with universal suffrage for citizens aged 18 and over since 2015, including women.
Recent Developments
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman consolidated power through centralization of decision-making as of 2025
- Continued implementation of Vision 2030 socioeconomic reforms
- Further tightening of authoritarian control and suppression of dissent reported in 2023-2025
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