Saudi Arabia vs Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries): Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes
Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes over time
- Saudi Arabia
- Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
How they compare
Saudi Arabia currently reports 96.2% against 61.8% in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries), a difference of 34.4%.
That makes Saudi Arabia's figure about 1.6 times Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)'s.
Across all 5 years both countries report, Saudi Arabia has been ahead every year.
Saudi Arabia ranks 32nd and Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 32nd of 83 countries.
Saudi Arabia has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Saudi Arabia | Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 67.1% | 47.9% | 19.2% | Saudi Arabia |
| 2000s | 78.7% | 54.2% | 24.4% | Saudi Arabia |
| 2010s | 95.7% | 59.7% | 36.0% | 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, Saudi Arabia or Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- Saudi Arabia, at 96.2% against 61.8% in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) as of 2017.
- What is the difference in literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes between Saudi Arabia and Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- 34.4%, with Saudi Arabia ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Saudi Arabia and Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- 5 years are reported by both, from 1992 to 2017.
- How do Saudi Arabia and Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) rank globally for literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 32nd and Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 32nd of 83 countries.
- 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.
Individual pages
About this data
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.