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Saudi Arabia: Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above)

In , Saudi Arabia's Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) was 97.93.

That's up 0.3% from 2020, the highest value on record.

The global average for this indicator in 2024 was 89.47 . Saudi Arabia ranks #6 globally out of 29 reporting countries. Within Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, it ranks #3 of 5.

Source: World Bank Open Data (SE.ADT.LITR.ZS) • Data as of 2024

Trend (2013–2024)

Saudi Arabia Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) trend

Highlights

Peak
97.93
Trough
94.43

Historical Data — Last 10 Years

Year Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above)
97.9300
97.5900
95.3300
94.4300

About Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above)

Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.

Indicator code: SE.ADT.LITR.ZSCategory: Education

Frequently asked questions

What was Saudi Arabia's Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) in 2024?
In 2024, Saudi Arabia's Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) was 97.93, according to World Bank Open Data.
Is Saudi Arabia's Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) rising or falling?
Saudi Arabia's Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) rose 0.3% from 2020 to 2024.
How does Saudi Arabia rank globally on Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above)?
In 2024, Saudi Arabia ranked #6 out of 29 countries reporting Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above).
How does Saudi Arabia's Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) compare to the world average?
The global average for Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) in 2024 was 89.47, so Saudi Arabia is above the world average. Within Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, it ranks #3 of 5.
What is Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) and how is it measured?
Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.
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Source: World Bank Open Data (SE.ADT.LITR.ZS), CC BY 4.0.