Least developed countries vs Saudi Arabia: Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes

Least developed countries
60.5%
in 2019
Saudi Arabia
96.2%
in 2017
Least developed countries rank
35th
Saudi Arabia rank
32nd

Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes over time

  • Least developed countries
  • Saudi Arabia
020406080100198120002019

How they compare

Saudi Arabia currently reports 96.2% against 60.5% in Least developed countries, a difference of 35.7%.

That makes Saudi Arabia's figure about 1.6 times Least developed countries's.

Across all 5 years both countries report, Saudi Arabia has been ahead every year.

Least developed countries ranks 35th and Saudi Arabia ranks 32nd of 38 groups.

Saudi Arabia has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Least developed countries Saudi Arabia Difference Ahead
1990s 41.4% 67.1% 25.7% Saudi Arabia
2000s 49.2% 78.7% 29.5% Saudi Arabia
2010s 56.4% 95.7% 39.3% Saudi Arabia

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes, Least developed countries or Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia, at 96.2% against 60.5% in Least developed countries as of 2017.
What is the difference in literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes between Least developed countries and Saudi Arabia?
35.7%, with Saudi Arabia ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Least developed countries and Saudi Arabia?
5 years are reported by both, from 1992 to 2017.
How do Least developed countries and Saudi Arabia rank globally for literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes?
Least developed countries ranks 35th and Saudi Arabia ranks 32nd of 38 groups.
Where does this data come from?
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes (%). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Least developed countries vs Saudi Arabia: Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 02 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/compare/literacy-rate-population-25-64-years-both-sexes-percent/least-developed-countries-un-classification/saudi-arabia/

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About this data

Indicator
Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes (%)
Unit
%
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
122 places, 2,220 data points, 1970–2019
Last refreshed

Percentage of the population between age 25 and age 64 who can, with understanding, read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life. Generally, ‘literacy’ also encompasses ‘numeracy’, the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations. This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of literates aged 25-64 years by the corresponding age group population and multiplying the result by 100.