Photo: Mardetanha · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Saudi Arabia: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Saudi Arabia is placed 77th of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Out-of-School Rate, Primary 0.527 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 64.35 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
77th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
- 0.527Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 64.35Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- —Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025No reading for this country
- 4.481Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Saudi Arabia on education & knowledge — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Saudi Arabia’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
0.527
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Saudi Arabia: 0.527. Across the 192 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.004 (United Arab Emirates) to 65.6 (Equatorial Guinea); the world median is 3.691.
- World median
- 3.691
- Best in Western Asia
- 0.004 United Arab Emirates
- Land neighbours
- United Arab Emirates 0.004 · Jordan 1.886 · Kuwait 7.466 · Oman 5.756 · Qatar 4.617 · Yemen 30.62
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Saudi Arabia’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
64.35
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Saudi Arabia: 64.35. Across the 187 countries at their latest reading, values run from 3.411 (Yemen) to 100 (United Arab Emirates); the world median is 85.9.
- World median
- 85.9
- Best in Western Asia
- 100 United Arab Emirates
- Land neighbours
- United Arab Emirates 100 · Jordan 69.38 · Kuwait 44.32 · Oman 88.73 · Qatar 81.06 · Yemen 3.411
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
No reading
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
UIS publishes no 2025 figure for Saudi Arabia, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 164 countries in this edition, values run from 2.13 (South Sudan) to 99.27 (South Korea); the world median is 64.87.
- World median
- 64.87
- Best in Western Asia
- 95.87 Azerbaijan
- Land neighbours
- Iraq 57.15 · Jordan 70.14 · Qatar 92.12 · Yemen 39.94
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
4.481
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
Saudi Arabia: 4.481. Across the 123 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Somalia) to 16.39 (Kiribati); the world median is 3.709.
- World median
- 3.709
- Best in Western Asia
- 5.026 Kuwait
- Land neighbours
- Jordan 3.515 · Kuwait 5.026
02Over time
Which way Saudi Arabia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%) · lower is better
Saudi ArabiaWorld median
Saudi Arabia fell from 7.553 in 2013 to 0.527 in 2024; the world median went from 3.413 to 3.691.
Every year’s figures
Year Saudi Arabia World median 2024 0.5 3.691 2023 — 3.393 2022 — 3.002 2021 2.8 3.330 2020 2.6 2.678 2019 — 2.758 2018 — 2.439 2017 — 2.907 2016 2.9 2.954 2015 3.7 3.052 2014 6.0 3.904 2013 7.6 3.413 2012 — 3.408 2011 — 3.626 2010 — 3.491 2009 — 3.577 2008 — 3.878 2007 — 4.029 2006 — 4.338 2005 — 4.571 2004 — 3.791 2003 — 4.412 2002 — 4.144 2001 — 4.051 2000 — 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
Saudi ArabiaWorld median
Saudi Arabia rose from 36.67 in 2015 to 64.35 in 2024; the world median went from 88.23 to 85.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Saudi Arabia World median 2024 64.4 85.9 2023 — 87.6 2022 56.6 87.7 2021 36.0 87.0 2020 46.7 88.3 2019 42.6 88.8 2018 39.1 89.6 2017 38.8 87.4 2016 37.3 87.9 2015 36.7 88.2 2014 — 89.2 2013 — 88.0 2012 — 85.4 2011 — 86.2 2010 — 86.1 2009 — 84.8 2008 — 85.8 2007 — 86.7 2006 — 84.0 2005 — 82.2 2004 — 81.8 2003 — 78.3 2002 — 80.0 2001 — 80.8 2000 — 66.3 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
Saudi ArabiaWorld median
Saudi Arabia fell from 5.91 in 2000 to 4.481 in 2023; the world median went from 3.886 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year Saudi Arabia World median 2023 4.48 3.7092 2022 — 4.0570 2021 — 4.2611 2020 — 4.4056 2019 — 4.1407 2018 — 4.2159 2017 — 4.1401 2016 — 4.2342 2015 — 4.2386 2014 — 4.2005 2013 — 4.3493 2012 — 4.0348 2011 — 3.9987 2010 — 4.1396 2009 — 4.6638 2008 5.14 4.4226 2007 — 4.1717 2006 5.89 4.0593 2005 5.43 4.0557 2004 6.28 3.9745 2003 7.11 4.1595 2002 7.64 4.0173 2001 7.72 4.1002 2000 5.91 3.8861
03In context
Saudi Arabia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on education & knowledge, never a place within the region.
Saudi Arabia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Out-of-School Rate, PrimaryOut-of-school rate, primary age (%) | Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before PrimaryChildren one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) | Upper Secondary Completion RateUpper secondary completion rate (%) | Government Spending on EducationGovernment expenditure on education (% of GDP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 United Arab Emiratescompare | 1st | 0.004 | 100 | — | — |
| Saudi Arabia | 77th | 0.527 | 64.35 | — | 4.481 |
 Qatar | 84th | 4.617 | 81.06 | 92.12 | — |
 Jordan | 113th | 1.886 | 69.38 | 70.14 | 3.515 |
 Oman | 119th | 5.756 | 88.73 | — | — |
 Kuwait | 138th | 7.466 | 44.32 | — | 5.026 |
 Yemen | 187th | 30.62 | 3.411 | 39.94 | — |
 Iraq | not placed | — | — | 57.15 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
Placed either side on education & knowledge
The countries immediately above and below Saudi Arabia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Saudi Arabia is ahead of the world, and behind
32 more statistics filed under education & knowledge, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median16
Statistics on which Saudi Arabia does better than the middle country measured.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2299.8998.22No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 99.89 · world median 98.22 · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 36.7 to 100; higher is better.
Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.3430.6376.343▲ Improved since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 0.637 · world median 6.343 · Out-of-school rate, lower secondary age (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.011 to 79.71; lower is better.
Position 105th of 116 · derived, 1st = worst.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3416.9513.34▲ Improved since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 16.95 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 24th of 195 · derived.
Secondary School EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 93.19110.6693.19▲ Improved since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 110.66 · world median 93.19 · Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 19.87 to 158.55; higher is better.
Position 14th of 109 · derived.
Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7783.8852.77▲ Improved since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 83.88 · world median 52.77 · Gross enrolment ratio, tertiary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.566 to 141.86; higher is better.
Position 14th of 95 · derived.
Qualified Teachers in Primary EducationUIS · 2024 · world median 93.6610093.66No real change since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 100 · world median 93.66 · Primary teachers with the minimum qualifications their country requires (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Pupils per Qualified Teacher, PrimaryUIS · 2024 · world median 20.6714.0920.67▼ Worsened since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 14.09 · world median 20.67 · Primary pupils per qualified teacher (headcount basis). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 8.244 to 284.7; lower is better.
Position 73rd of 92 · derived, 1st = worst.
School Life ExpectancyUIS · 2024 · world median 14.5917.0214.59▲ Improved since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 17.02 · world median 14.59 · School life expectancy, primary to tertiary (years). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.478 to 21.01; higher is better.
Position 17th of 77 · derived.
Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.6610098.66No real change since 2016
Saudi Arabia: 100 · world median 98.66 · Primary schools with internet access for teaching (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.8630.8919.86▲ Improved since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 30.89 · world median 19.86 · Adults 25+ who completed a bachelor's degree or higher (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.135 to 52.72; higher is better.
Position 23rd of 90 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93311.619.933▲ Improved since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 11.61 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 53rd of 193 · derived.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9997.9393.99No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 97.93 · world median 93.99 · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.83 to 100; higher is better.
Position 48th of 172 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.951,235701.95No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 1,235 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 56th of 145 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0871.0760.08No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 71.07 · world median 60.08 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in reading (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 98.78; higher is better.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0232.4134.02No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 32.41 · world median 34.02 · 10-year-olds who cannot read and understand a simple text (%). World Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.331 to 98.5; lower is better.
Position 65th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Inbound Mobility Rate, TertiaryUIS · 2024 · world median 5.4945.7155.494▼ Worsened since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 5.715 · world median 5.494 · Inbound mobility rate, tertiary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.12; higher is better.
Position 38th of 75 · derived.
Behind the world median12
Statistics on which Saudi Arabia does worse than the middle country measured.
Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.0061.244▲ Improved since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 1.006 · world median 1.244 · Adjusted gender parity index, tertiary gross enrolment (1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.74 to 1.83; higher is better.
Position 2nd of 95 · derived.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9417.8887.941▲ Improved since 2010
Saudi Arabia: 7.888 · world median 7.941 · Learning-adjusted years of school (0–14). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.207 to 12.81; higher is better.
Position 87th of 172 · derived.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32398.97414.32▲ Improved since 2010
Saudi Arabia: 398.97 · world median 414.32 · Harmonized test score (TIMSS-equivalent points; 300 = minimum, 625 = advanced attainment). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 304.92 to 575.27; higher is better.
Position 104th of 172 · derived.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8140.4950.814▼ Worsened since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 0.495 · world median 0.814 · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 6.346; higher is better.
Position 52nd of 84 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.828.8343.8No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 28.83 · world median 43.8 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in mathematics (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.8 to 93.42; higher is better.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2023 · world median 48.929.9848.9No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 29.98 · world median 48.9 · Students at the end of lower secondary reaching minimum proficiency in mathematics (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.73 to 91.73; higher is better.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower SecondaryUIS · 2022 · world median 58.5937.458.59No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 37.4 · world median 58.59 · Students at the end of lower secondary reaching minimum proficiency in reading (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 5.043 to 88.83; higher is better.
PISA Mathematics PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 442.09388.78442.09▲ Improved since 2018
Saudi Arabia: 388.78 · world median 442.09 · Mean mathematics score. OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 336.4 to 574.66; higher is better.
Position 59th of 79 · derived.
PISA Reading PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 440.35382.55440.35▲ Improved since 2018
Saudi Arabia: 382.55 · world median 440.35 · Mean reading score. OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 328.84 to 542.55; higher is better.
Position 61st of 79 · derived.
PISA Science PerformanceOECD · 2022 · world median 446.93390.39446.93▲ Improved since 2018
Saudi Arabia: 390.39 · world median 446.93 · Mean science score. OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 347.1 to 561.43; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 79 · derived.
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment RateUIS · 2024 · world median 65.9326.565.93▲ Improved since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 26.5 · world median 65.93 · Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.779 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 107th of 120 · derived.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.0660.619No real change since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 0.066 · world median 0.619 · Academic freedom index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.019 to 0.978; higher is better.
Position 168th of 176 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 100100100No real change since 2016
Saudi Arabia: 100 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,24079,5182,240No real change since 2022
Saudi Arabia: 79,518 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3550.0634.35Moved since 2018
Saudi Arabia: 50.06 · world median 34.35 · People aged 15+ who trust scientists in their country 'a lot' (%). Wellcome Trust, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 9.335 to 72.35.
Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1738.1938.17No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 38.19 · world median 38.17 · Researchers who are women (% of headcount; 50 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.54.
No current reading for Saudi Arabia
Female Share of STEM Graduates (last 2022), Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2007), Intergenerational Persistence in Education, Lower Secondary Completion Rate, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary (last 2022), Primary Completion Rate, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes (last 2022), Upper Secondary Attainment (last 2022), Upper Secondary Completion Rate and Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary Completion. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Education & Knowledge among Saudi Arabia’s 14 topics
Education & Knowledge is Saudi Arabia’s 7th best-placed topic of 14. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Mobility & Trade40th of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technology45th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour45th of 1824/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital50th of 1963/3 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 54th of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing58th of 2003/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge77th of 1983/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation69th of 1764/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience83rd of 1934/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 86th of 1844/4 keys
- Peace & Security123rd of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties163rd of 1983/4 keys
- Gender & Equality167th of 1834/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability185th of 1863/4 keys
No standing on Poverty & Inequality, Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Saudi Arabia can most readily be measured against.
1United Arab EmiratesWestern Asia
1st of 198 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
GreeceSouthern Europe
2nd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
PolandEastern Europe
3rd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) · CC BY 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
Moldova7th4/4 keysHighest in Asia
United Arab Emirates1st2/4 keysThis page
Saudi Arabia77th3/4 keys
Positions out of 198 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Saudi Arabia on education & knowledge: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Saudi Arabia rank on education & knowledge?
Saudi Arabia is placed 77th of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary and Government Spending on Education). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Out-of-School Rate, Primary figure for Saudi Arabia?
0.527 in 2024 (out-of-school rate, primary age (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 3.691.
What is the latest Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary figure for Saudi Arabia?
64.35 in 2024 (children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 85.9.
How does Saudi Arabia compare with Iraq on education & knowledge?
Iraq is not placed on Education & Knowledge, holding too few of its key statistics, and Saudi Arabia 77th.
How have Saudi Arabia’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 7.553 in 2013 to 0.527 in 2024; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 36.67 in 2015 to 64.35 in 2024; Government Spending on Education fell from 5.91 in 2000 to 4.481 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Saudi Arabia?
No current reading is published for Saudi Arabia on Female Share of STEM Graduates, Government Funding per Primary Student, Intergenerational Persistence in Education, Lower Secondary Completion Rate, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary, Primary Completion Rate, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Upper Secondary Attainment, Upper Secondary Completion Rate and Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary Completion. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
How much children actually learn is only partly covered. International test scores exist for a limited group of countries, and they are published here as context rather than used as a key, because a key must describe most of the world. Universities, research, and youth and adult literacy also appear as context.
How the Education & Knowledge standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The education & knowledge method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Out-of-School Rate, Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Upper Secondary Completion Rate — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Government Spending on Education — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 32 statistics on this page come from 8 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Saudi Arabia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Saudi Arabia (banner) — Mardetanha, CC BY-SA 3.0
- United Arab Emirates — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Greece — User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Poland — Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich), CC BY 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Saudi Arabia: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/saudi-arabia/education