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.
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
- Population growth rate 2.4% (2023)
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.