Photo: Mardetanha · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Saudi Arabia: Environment & Sustainability
How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?
Saudi Arabia is placed 185th of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 20.38 (2024); Water Stress 974.17 (2023).
Share
Environment & Sustainability
185th
of 186 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Saudi Arabia on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
20.38
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
Lower is better
Saudi Arabia: 20.38. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.
- World median
- 3.21
- Best in Western Asia
- 0.249 Yemen
- Land neighbours
- United Arab Emirates 20.13 · Iraq 5.074 · Jordan 2.01 · Kuwait 26.25 · Oman 15.65 · Qatar 41.27 · Yemen 0.249
Key 2 of 4
Water Stress
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0
974.17
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Lower is better
Saudi Arabia: 974.17. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.
- World median
- 10
- Best in Western Asia
- 4.21 Georgia
- Land neighbours
- United Arab Emirates 1,437 · Iraq 67.81 · Jordan 105.2 · Kuwait 3,851 · Oman 116.71 · Qatar 431.03 · Yemen 281.48
Key 3 of 4
Organic Agricultural Area
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
0.01
Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Higher is better
Saudi Arabia: 0.01. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.
- World median
- 0.725
- Best in Western Asia
- 8.77 Cyprus
- Land neighbours
- United Arab Emirates 1.36 · Iraq 0 · Jordan 0.14 · Kuwait 0.02 · Oman 0.02
No reading
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Lower is better
Global Footprint Network publishes no 2025 figure for Saudi Arabia, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.
- World median
- 2.296
- Best in Western Asia
- 0.514 Yemen
- Land neighbours
- Iraq 2.018 · Jordan 1.375 · Oman 4.945 · Qatar 11.73 · Yemen 0.514
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.
CO₂ Emissions per Capita
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) · lower is better
Saudi ArabiaWorld median
Saudi Arabia rose from 19.14 in 2000 to 20.38 in 2024; the world median went from 2.662 to 3.21.
Every year’s figures
Year Saudi Arabia World median 2024 20.379 3.210 2023 20.365 3.145 2022 20.730 3.162 2021 22.197 3.087 2020 21.089 2.903 2019 23.245 3.273 2018 21.479 3.036 2017 20.937 3.049 2016 20.873 2.894 2015 20.836 2.846 2014 20.177 2.919 2013 20.808 2.779 2012 22.382 2.770 2011 20.694 2.748 2010 22.087 2.812 2009 20.810 2.799 2008 20.158 2.979 2007 18.925 2.593 2006 20.736 2.865 2005 20.050 2.885 2004 20.728 2.802 2003 18.695 2.918 2002 19.370 2.785 2001 19.034 2.726 2000 19.140 2.662 Water Stress
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) · lower is better
Saudi ArabiaWorld median
Saudi Arabia rose from 819.76 in 2000 to 974.17 in 2023; the world median went from 10.07 to 10.
Every year’s figures
Year Saudi Arabia World median 2023 974.2 10.000 2022 974.2 10.190 2021 974.2 10.460 2020 974.2 10.460 2019 974.2 10.890 2018 974.2 10.460 2017 956.0 10.460 2016 929.6 10.460 2015 948.9 10.190 2014 894.7 10.460 2013 853.5 10.460 2012 797.7 10.460 2011 735.6 10.460 2010 678.9 10.710 2009 745.0 10.960 2008 811.1 10.815 2007 877.2 11.180 2006 943.3 10.430 2005 894.8 10.250 2004 870.1 10.715 2003 858.2 10.370 2002 847.8 10.180 2001 832.6 10.130 2000 819.8 10.070 Organic Agricultural Area
Organic share of agricultural land (%) · higher is better
Saudi ArabiaWorld median
Saudi Arabia was at 0.01 in both 2005 and 2024; the world median went from 0.345 to 0.725.
Every year’s figures
Year Saudi Arabia World median 2024 0.01 0.725 2023 0.01 0.780 2022 0.01 0.740 2021 0.02 0.710 2020 0.02 0.665 2019 0.01 0.550 2018 0.01 0.490 2017 0.01 0.630 2016 0.01 0.545 2015 0.02 0.540 2014 0.02 0.470 2013 0.02 0.440 2012 0.01 0.480 2011 0.01 0.460 2010 0.02 0.330 2009 0.03 0.335 2008 0.02 0.290 2007 0.01 0.370 2006 0.01 0.305 2005 0.01 0.345
03In context
Saudi Arabia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.
Saudi Arabia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | CO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) | Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) | Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%) | Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Yemen | 49th | 0.249 | 281.48 | — | 0.514 |
 Jordan | 136th | 2.01 | 105.2 | 0.14 | 1.375 |
 Iraq | =168th | 5.074 | 67.81 | 0 | 2.018 |
 United Arab Emiratescompare | 173rd | 20.13 | 1,437 | 1.36 | — |
 Oman | 181st | 15.65 | 116.71 | 0.02 | 4.945 |
 Kuwait | 184th | 26.25 | 3,851 | 0.02 | — |
| Saudi Arabia | 185th | 20.38 | 974.17 | 0.01 | — |
 Qatar | 186th | 41.27 | 431.03 | — | 11.73 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.
Placed either side on environment & sustainability
The countries immediately above and below Saudi Arabia in the topic’s list.
Libya182nd
Bahrain183rd- Kuwait184th
- Saudi Arabia185th
- Qatar186th
04Context, no vote
Where Saudi Arabia is ahead of the world, and behind
39 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, 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 median7
Statistics on which Saudi Arabia does better than the middle country measured.
Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.1810018.18No real change since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 100 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4451.1247.44No real change since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 51.12 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.
Ranked 71st of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.866.963.8No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 66.9 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 38th of 99 by World Energy Council.
Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 00.030▲ Improved since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 0.03 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.128.2416.1▼ Worsened since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 28.24 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 54.75No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 4.7 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.
Ranked 88th of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).
Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5651.471.565▼ Worsened since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 1.47 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.
Position 100th of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median9
Statistics on which Saudi Arabia does worse than the middle country measured.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.6660.678▲ Improved since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 0.666 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 85th of 156 · derived.
Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.4710.45▼ Worsened since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 0.471 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.
Ranked 113th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.179.674.17No real change since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 9.67 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.
Position 57th of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.
Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9661.8060.966No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 1.806 · world median 0.966 · Municipal solid waste generated (kg per person per day). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.058 to 4.176; lower is better.
Position 31st of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7385.9692.738▲ Improved since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 5.969 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.142.173.14No real change since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 2.17 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.
Position 167th of 186 · derived.
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,52874.592,528No real change since 2012
Saudi Arabia: 74.59 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.
Position 173rd of 181 · derived.
Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6634.9811.663No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 4.981 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4550.114.45No real change since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 50.1 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 6th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
No better end23
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9680.7737.96No real change since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 80.77 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.
Position 5th of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Consumption-Based CO₂ EmissionsGlobal Carbon Project · 2023 · world median 12.79178.5212.79No real change since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 178.52 · world median 12.79 · Consumption-based fossil CO₂ (million tonnes of carbon). Global Carbon Project, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.882 to 2,963.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.70825.571.708Moved since 2011
Saudi Arabia: 25.57 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 16th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.694,053325.69No real change since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 4,053 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1444.340.144Moved since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 4.34 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1481.5662.14No real change since 2012
Saudi Arabia: 81.56 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.
Position 45th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,375247,20752,375Moved since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 247,207 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.
Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.6354.1237.63Moved since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 54.12 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.
Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,63516,0578,635Moved since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 16,057 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.
Position 71st of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 100400100No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 400 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.36122.4287.36Moved since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 122.42 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.
Position 71st of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4741.5841.474Moved since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 1.584 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.
Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.9543.2082.954No real change since 1990
Saudi Arabia: 3.208 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8358.0857.83Moved since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 58.08 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.1020.109Moved since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 0.102 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.
Position 107th of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,82410,00313,824No real change since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 10,003 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.
Mangrove AreaGlobal Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy) · 2025 · world median 8,9276,5058,927No real change since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 6,505 · world median 8,927 · Mangrove forest area (hectares). Global Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.524 to 3,146,544.
Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,278232,932689,278Moved since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 232,932 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.
Position 118th of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.730.71.73Moved since 2014
Saudi Arabia: 0.7 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 134th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.660.4363.66No earlier reading
Saudi Arabia: 0.436 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.
Position 101st of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,77503,775Moved since 2015
Saudi Arabia: 0 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.
Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.080.45431.08No real change since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 0.454 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.
Position 200th of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.040.535No real change since 2013
Saudi Arabia: 0.04 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.
Position 185th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Saudi Arabia
Adjusted Net Savings (last 2020), Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Coal Share of Electricity Generation, Ecological Footprint, Environmentally Related Tax Revenue, Low-Carbon Share of Electricity Generation, Operating Coal Power Capacity, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation, Solar Share of Electricity Generation, Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation and Wind and Solar Share of Electricity Generation. 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
Environment & Sustainability among Saudi Arabia’s 14 topics
Environment & Sustainability is Saudi Arabia’s 14th 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 environment & sustainability
The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders Saudi Arabia can most readily be measured against.
1
AngolaMiddle Africa
1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale
- 2
São Tomé and PríncipeMiddle Africa
2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
3
Sierra LeoneWestern Africa
3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Palestine24th2/4 keysThis page
Saudi Arabia185th3/4 keys
Positions out of 186 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 environment & sustainability: 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 environment & sustainability?
Saudi Arabia is placed 185th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress and Organic Agricultural Area). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for Saudi Arabia?
20.38 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.
What is the latest Water Stress figure for Saudi Arabia?
974.17 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.
How does Saudi Arabia compare with Iraq on environment & sustainability?
Iraq is placed joint 168th of 186, and Saudi Arabia 185th. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: Iraq 5.074, Saudi Arabia 20.38; Water Stress: Iraq 67.81, Saudi Arabia 974.17; Organic Agricultural Area: Iraq 0, Saudi Arabia 0.01.
How have Saudi Arabia’s environment & sustainability figures changed?
CO₂ Emissions per Capita rose from 19.14 in 2000 to 20.38 in 2024; Water Stress rose from 819.76 in 2000 to 974.17 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area was 0.01 in both 2005 and 2024.
Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for Saudi Arabia?
No current reading is published for Saudi Arabia on Adjusted Net Savings, Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Coal Share of Electricity Generation, Ecological Footprint, Environmentally Related Tax Revenue, Low-Carbon Share of Electricity Generation, Operating Coal Power Capacity, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation, Solar Share of Electricity Generation, Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation and Wind and Solar Share of Electricity Generation. 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
Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.
How the Environment & Sustainability 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 environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- CO₂ Emissions per Capita — Global Carbon Project, CC BY 4.0
- Water Stress — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Organic Agricultural Area — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Ecological Footprint — Global Footprint Network, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 39 statistics on this page come from 17 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
- Angola — Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk, CC0
- Sierra Leone — Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Saudi Arabia: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/saudi-arabia/environment