How do I get the text value of a default selected option

You should conclude js in <script></script>, and before use jquery($.) check that jquery.js lib was included.

Something like this:

<span></span> <select name="ORDER_PROP_14" id="ORDER_PROP_14"> <option value="24">Afghanistan</option> <option value="48">Nederland</option> </select> <script src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.9.1/jquery.min.js"></script> <script> <?php if ( isset($arUser['PERSONAL_COUNTRY']) || !empty($arUser['PERSONAL_COUNTRY']) ) { ?> <?php if ( $arUser['PERSONAL_COUNTRY'] != 0 ) { ?> $("#ORDER_PROP_14 option[value=<?=$arUser['PERSONAL_COUNTRY']?>]").prop('selected', true); $("#ORDER_PROP_14").siblings('span').html(<?=$arUser['PERSONAL_COUNTRY']?>); <?php } else { ?> $("#ORDER_PROP_14 option[value=48]").prop('selected', true); $("#ORDER_PROP_14").siblings('span').html(48); <?php } ?> <?php } else { ?> $("#ORDER_PROP_14 option[value=48]").prop('selected', true); $("#ORDER_PROP_14").siblings('span').html(48); <?php } ?> </script>