Literate and illiterate world population in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Literate and illiterate world population was 2.1% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Saudi Arabia, 1950–2024
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, literate and illiterate world population in Saudi Arabia stood at 2.1%. That is the lowest value across all 8 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 62.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Saudi Arabia peaked at 97.0% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 2.1%, in 2024.
That places Saudi Arabia 99th out of 128 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Literate and illiterate world population in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 97.0% | — |
| 1992 | 29.2% | -69.9% |
| 2000 | 20.6% | -29.2% |
| 2004 | 17.1% | -17.0% |
| 2013 | 5.6% | -67.5% |
| 2017 | 4.7% | -16.2% |
| 2020 | 2.4% | -48.4% |
| 2024 | 2.1% | -14.1% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 2.1% is below the median for high income countries, which is 2.2%, 95% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 2.1% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 6.7%, 31% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 97.0% | 97.0% | 97.0% | 1 |
| 1990s | 29.2% | 29.2% | 29.2% | 1 |
| 2000s | 18.9% | 17.1% | 20.6% | 2 |
| 2010s | 5.1% | 4.7% | 5.6% | 2 |
| 2020s | 2.2% | 2.1% | 2.4% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More population data for Saudi Arabia
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1019 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.6339 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.5774 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.6339 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.6% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 4.10 million people (2100)
- Population density 33.03 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.6% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.5868 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.2 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Saudi Arabia?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Saudi Arabia was 2.1% in 2024, according to UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 97.0% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.1% in 2024.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 99th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 62.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Literate and illiterate world population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.