UN General Assembly
1963

76. Saudi Arabia is a developing country. In record time it has achieved considerable progress in the economic and social fields. I wish to make it clear that the development programme is financed by a growing balanced budget, without national debts or direct fiscal charges imposed on the population. 77. A very brief glance at the statistics of the last ten years may give a clear idea of the development of the country. In 19 54 the general budget was $110 million; in 1963 it has risen to $550 million. Expenditure on national education has risen from $3 million in 1954 to $45 million in 1963, that is to say it has increased fifteenfold. The budget for public health in 1954was $3million; in l963 it has risen to $20 million. These figures do not include the funds allocated for the construction of schools and medical centres. 78. I should like to say here that education at all stages —primary, secondary and higher— is completely free, as are all medical and hospital services provided for the people.