National Guidelines Regarding Research Ethics in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest Arab countries with a population of more than 32 million and with high standard of living ($25,961 GDP per capita). The age of the population is skedded towards a young demographic, as the percentage of people younger than 15 years old is 34.8%, whereas the percentage of people above 65 years old is 3.2%. It has a tribal social structure with strong extended family relationships (General Authority Statistics 2016). Saudi Arabia is ruled by a royal family and the King is the head of the Council of Ministers, which issues the laws in Saudi Arabia. These laws must not contradict Islam, which is considered the official religion of the country (Council of Ministers 1412H 1991).