Fuel imports in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Fuel imports was 5.7% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Fuel imports in Saudi Arabia, 1968–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
In 2024, fuel imports in Saudi Arabia stood at 5.7%.
The figure is down 23.4% on the previous year and up 271.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fuel imports in Saudi Arabia peaked at 7.5% in 2022 and was at its lowest, 0.1%, in 1992.
That places Saudi Arabia 174th out of 196 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Fuel imports in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 1.1% | — |
| 1969 | 1.4% | +19.4% |
| 1974 | 1.0% | -25.5% |
| 1975 | 0.7% | -32.3% |
| 1976 | 0.7% | +8.4% |
| 1977 | 0.6% | -23.9% |
| 1978 | 0.7% | +18.9% |
| 1979 | 0.6% | -5.0% |
| 1980 | 0.6% | -0.0% |
| 1981 | 0.7% | +13.5% |
| 1982 | 0.5% | -34.6% |
| 1983 | 0.5% | +8.2% |
| 1984 | 0.6% | +20.6% |
| 1985 | 0.5% | -18.5% |
| 1986 | 0.2% | -50.8% |
| 1987 | 0.3% | +4.6% |
| 1991 | 0.3% | +3.0% |
| 1992 | 0.1% | -47.5% |
| 1993 | 0.2% | +22.3% |
| 1994 | 0.2% | +23.2% |
| 1995 | 0.2% | +2.5% |
| 1996 | 0.2% | -13.8% |
| 1998 | 0.2% | -6.3% |
| 1999 | 0.2% | +10.7% |
| 2000 | 0.1% | -23.8% |
| 2001 | 0.2% | +36.8% |
| 2002 | 0.2% | +3.5% |
| 2003 | 0.2% | +11.0% |
| 2004 | 0.2% | -0.5% |
| 2005 | 0.2% | -5.4% |
| 2006 | 0.2% | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 0.2% | -2.8% |
| 2008 | 0.2% | +5.3% |
| 2009 | 0.2% | -2.8% |
| 2010 | 0.2% | +2.8% |
| 2011 | 0.3% | +13.3% |
| 2012 | 0.4% | +66.7% |
| 2013 | 1.3% | +212.0% |
| 2014 | 1.5% | +13.2% |
| 2015 | 0.7% | -54.0% |
| 2016 | 1.2% | +78.2% |
| 2017 | 2.3% | +80.7% |
| 2018 | 3.0% | +35.5% |
| 2019 | 2.8% | -7.5% |
| 2020 | 3.1% | +9.4% |
| 2021 | 4.8% | +56.6% |
| 2022 | 7.5% | +55.4% |
| 2023 | 7.4% | -1.9% |
| 2024 | 5.7% | -23.4% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 5.7% is below the median for high income countries, which is 10.3%, 55% of the median. (71 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 5.7% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 13.1%, 43% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Fuel imports in Saudi Arabia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | +212.0% | 0.4% | 1.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1.2% | 1.1% | 1.4% | 2 |
| 1970s | 0.7% | 0.6% | 1.0% | 6 |
| 1980s | 0.5% | 0.2% | 0.7% | 8 |
| 1990s | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.3% | 8 |
| 2000s | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.4% | 0.2% | 3.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.7% | 3.1% | 7.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More energy & mining data for Saudi Arabia
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate 1.85 % change on previous year (2025)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0.0001 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Ores and metals imports 2.9% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fuel imports in Saudi Arabia?
- Fuel imports in Saudi Arabia was 5.7% in 2024, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest fuel imports recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 7.5% in 2022.
- What is the lowest fuel imports recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.1% in 1992.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for fuel imports?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 174th out of 196 countries with data for 2024.
- Is fuel imports rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 271.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Fuel imports (% of merchandise imports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Fuels comprise the commodities in SITC (Rev. 3) section 3 (mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials). This indicator is expressed as a percentage of merchandise imports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a non-resident and a resident and that are not included in the following specific categories: goods under merchanting, non-monetary gold, and parts of travel, construction, and government goods and services n.i.e.