Article 14 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
المادة 14 من النظام الأساسي للحكم · الباب الرابع: المبادئ الاقتصادية
The article provides that all wealth beneath the earth and on its surface, in territorial waters, and in the land and maritime domain of the state belongs to the state, as the Law sets out.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
جميع الثروات التي أودعها الله في باطن الأرض، أو في ظاهرها، أو في المياه الإقليمية أو في النطاق البري والبحري الذي يمتد إليه اختصاص الدولة، وجميع موارد تلك الثروات، ملك للدولة، وفقا لما يبينه النظام.
ويبين النظام وسائل استغلال هذه الثروات، وحمايتها، وتنميتها لما فيه مصلحة الدولة وأمنها واقتصادها.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 14 explained in plain English
This article establishes the state's ownership of natural wealth and refers the details to the Law. It can be divided into two paragraphs:
First paragraph: the scope of ownership. All the wealth that God has placed in the following places belongs to the state:
- Beneath the earth.
- On the surface of the earth.
- Territorial waters.
- The land and maritime domain over which the state's jurisdiction extends.
This also includes all the resources of that wealth. But the text qualifies this ownership with the phrase as the Law sets out, so it is the Law that sets out its limits and details.
Second paragraph: exploiting the wealth. The Law sets out the means of exploiting this wealth, protecting it and developing it, for the benefit of the state's interest, security and economy.
The article does not itself mention the types of wealth, the ways of exploiting it or who may do so, but leaves that to the laws. Anyone with a specific matter, such as the presence of a natural resource in land he owns, refers to the competent law, and may consult a lawyer specializing in real estate cases or related laws.
This article is linked to Article 15, which provides that no concession or exploitation of any of the country's public resources may be granted except under a law.
Practical example
Khalid owns agricultural land in Qassim, and minerals are believed to lie beneath it. He reads Article 14 and finds that all wealth beneath the earth belongs to the state as the Law sets out, and that the Law sets out the means of exploiting it. He realizes that he must refer to the competent law for the detailed provisions before taking any action.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 14 of the Saudi Basic Law of Governance
Do the minerals beneath my land belong to me?
Article 14 provides that all wealth beneath the earth belongs to the state as the Law sets out, and the details are set by the competent law.
Who determines how natural wealth is exploited in Saudi Arabia?
Article 14 provides that the Law sets out the means of exploiting this wealth, protecting it and developing it, for the benefit of the state's interest, security and economy.
Does state ownership include marine wealth?
Yes. Article 14 mentions wealth in territorial waters and in the land and maritime domain over which the state's jurisdiction extends.
More articles on Economic Principles and Public Wealth
- Article 15
The article provides that no concession or exploitation of any of the country's public resources may be granted except under a law.
لا يجوز منح امتياز أو استثمار مورد من موارد البلاد العامة إلا بموجب نظام.
- Article 16
The article provides that public funds are inviolable, that the state must protect them, and that citizens and residents must preserve them.
للأموال العامة حرمتها، وعلى الدولة حمايتها، وعلى المواطنين والمقيمين المحافظة عليها.
- Article 17
The article provides that ownership, capital and work are basic components of the Kingdom's economic and social entity, and are private rights that perform a social function according to Sharia.
الملكية، ورأس المال، والعمل، مقومات أساسية في الكيان الاقتصادي والاجتماعي للمملكة. وهي حقوق خاصة تؤدي وظيفة اجتماعية، وفق الشريعة الإسلامية.
- Article 20
The article provides that taxes and fees are imposed only when needed and on the basis of justice, and may be imposed, amended, abolished or exempted only under the Law.
لا تفرض الضرائب والرسوم إلا عند الحاجة، وعلى أساس من العدل، ولا يجوز فرضها، أو تعديلها، أو إلغاؤها، أو الإعفاء منها إلا بموجب النظام.
- Article 21
The Article provides that zakat is collected and spent on its lawful (Sharia) recipients.
تجبى الزكاة وتنفق في مصارفها الشرعية.
- Article 22
The Article provides that economic and social development is achieved according to a fair, scientific plan.
يتم تحقيق التنمية الاقتصادية والاجتماعية، وفق خطة علمية عادلة.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.