Saudi Arabia vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes
Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes over time
- Saudi Arabia
- Sub-Saharan Africa
How they compare
Saudi Arabia currently reports 96.2% against 61.8% in Sub-Saharan Africa, a difference of 34.4%.
That makes Saudi Arabia's figure about 1.6 times Sub-Saharan Africa's.
Across all 5 years both countries report, Saudi Arabia has been ahead every year.
Saudi Arabia ranks 32nd and Sub-Saharan Africa 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 | 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?
- Saudi Arabia, at 96.2% against 61.8% in Sub-Saharan Africa as of 2017.
- What is the difference in literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes between Saudi Arabia and Sub-Saharan Africa?
- 34.4%, with Saudi Arabia ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Saudi Arabia and Sub-Saharan Africa?
- 5 years are reported by both, from 1992 to 2017.
- How do Saudi Arabia and Sub-Saharan Africa rank globally for literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 32nd and Sub-Saharan Africa 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.
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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.