teacher 199413.7011.6031.7019.20Military expenditure (% of GNP) 199713.53.8N/A3.1Education funding (% of GNP) 19955.505.302.20N/AMale/Female literacy rate (%) 199872/5097/9795/9479.7/53.4Electricity consumption per capita kWh 199534701373235018Economic SuccessSaudi Arabia was a poor country until oil was discovered beneath the eastern deserts in the late 1930’s. The country suddenly found itself very wealthy as it became an important exporter of oil in just a few years. The price of the oil increased very dramatically from just $3 a barrel to over $40 a barrel. This economic success ensured that the leaders became very wealthy. The GNP per capita is economically sound. However, this figure is misleading. A large proportion of GNP is channeled towards the leaders while a disproportionate sum is filtered to the citizens. A large amount of construction was initiated using the revenues earned. However, most of the workforce consisted of cheap foreign labour while the Saudi Arabian citizens suffer an enormous 25% unemployment rate compared to the United States 5% unemployment. This economic success dropped somewhat as oil prices dropped tremendously in 1998-1999. Large amounts of construction work were halted and social programs were cut to reduce costs. However, since late 1999, the oil producers cartel agreed to lower the production rate of oil so that the price of oil would rise. Their move was very successful and oil rose from US$10 per barrel US$31 per barrel. Recently, at a meeting of the oil cartel, the rate of production was increased in order to reduce the price of oil to a stable level (US$25 per barrel) and satisfy the western world– this shows the politics of oil.Political StructureThere are no formal democratic institutions in Saudi Arabia. Only a few of the wealthy and politically empowered have a voice in the choice of leader or change of political system. The King rules on civil and religious matters and appoints...
