Assessed the prevalence of depression and associated factors among 7,970 elderly people (mean age 68.8 yrs) in Saudi ArabiA cross-sectional national survey of the elderly population was conducted. In the 1st stage, the family health records (FHR) of each selected primary health care center (PHC) were reviewed and a list of the elderly 60 yrs old and older was compiled. In the 2nd stage, a sample of Ss was selected from the FHR and contacted for a personal interview. The Ss' physical, social, and environmental health status were assessed by interview during which a structured questionnaire was completed. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to screen for depression. Results show that depressive symptoms were reported in 3,110 of the Ss, and 8.4% were in the severe depressive symptoms score group. Personal characteristics that correlated strongly with depression were poor education, unemployment, divorced or widowed status, old age, and being female. Living in a remote rural area was also significantly associated with high depressive symptoms. Limited privacy, and lower income also corresponded to depression. The proportion of cases with depression correlated positively with the number of medical diagnoses and medications received