Government of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy governed under the Basic Law of 1992, with the King as head of state and the Council of Ministers and Shura Council as its principal institutions.
Overview
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy. The King is both head of state and head of government, and the system of government is defined by the Basic Law of 1992.
The Basic Law
The Basic Law states that the Kingdom is a sovereign Arab Islamic state, that the religion is Islam, that the constitution is the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and that the system of government is a monarchy. It provides for the Council of Ministers and the Shura Council.
Institutions
The Council of Ministers, chaired by the King, is the principal executive body. The Shura Council is an appointed consultative body that reviews legislation. The Council of Senior Scholars advises on religious matters.
Administration
The Kingdom is divided into thirteen administrative regions, each headed by a governor appointed by the King. Municipal councils are partly elected.
References
- Basic Law of Governance \u2014 Government of Saudi Arabia (accessed 5 October 2026)
- Saudi Arabia: Government \u2014 Encyclopaedia Britannica (accessed 5 October 2026)
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The Basic Law of Governance
The Basic Law of Governance, issued in 1992, is the closest document to a constitution in Saudi Arabia, defini…