Saudi Arabia vs South Africa: Educational attainment, at least completed primary, population 25+

Saudi Arabia
90.1%
in 2024
South Africa
88.7%
in 2024
Saudi Arabia rank
77th
South Africa rank
80th

Educational attainment, at least completed primary, population 25+ over time

  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
020406080100197019972024

How they compare

Saudi Arabia currently reports 90.1% against 88.7% in South Africa, a difference of 1.4%.

The two have swapped places 3 times across 10 shared years of data; in 2004 it was South Africa ahead.

Saudi Arabia ranks 77th and South Africa ranks 80th of 135 countries.

South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Saudi Arabia South Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 55.3% 70.0% 14.7% South Africa
2010s 78.8% 82.6% 3.8% South Africa
2020s 85.5% 87.2% 1.6% South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher educational attainment, at least completed primary, population 25+, Saudi Arabia or South Africa?
Saudi Arabia, at 90.1% against 88.7% in South Africa as of 2024.
What is the difference in educational attainment, at least completed primary, population 25+ between Saudi Arabia and South Africa?
1.4%, with Saudi Arabia ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Saudi Arabia and South Africa?
10 years are reported by both, from 2004 to 2024.
How do Saudi Arabia and South Africa rank globally for educational attainment, at least completed primary, population 25+?
Saudi Arabia ranks 77th and South Africa ranks 80th of 135 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Educational attainment, at least completed primary, population 25+ years, female (%) (cumulative). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Saudi Arabia vs South Africa: Educational attainment, at least completed primary, population 25+. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 13 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-primary-population-25-years-female-percent/saudi-arabia/south-africa/

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<a href="https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-primary-population-25-years-female-percent/saudi-arabia/south-africa/">Saudi Arabia vs South Africa: Educational attainment, at least completed primary, population 25+</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator
Educational attainment, at least completed primary, population 25+ years, female (%) (cumulative)
Unit
cumulative
Source
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
135 places, 2,219 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed primary education.