Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary … both sexes UIS in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary … both sexes UIS was 42,366 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
42,366
Change on year
down 3.5%
World rank
31st
of 210 countries
All-time high
89,581
in 2016
All-time low
10,159
in 1998
Years of data
26
1998–2023
Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in Saudi Arabia, 1998–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2023, total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in Saudi Arabia stood at 42,366.
The figure is down 3.5% on the previous year and down 43.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in Saudi Arabia peaked at 89,581 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 10,159, in 1998.
Saudi Arabia ranks 31st of 210 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary … both sexes UIS in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 10,159 | — |
| 1999 | 10,484 | +3.2% |
| 2000 | 10,841 | +3.4% |
| 2001 | 11,929 | +10.0% |
| 2002 | 12,407 | +4.0% |
| 2003 | 12,021 | -3.1% |
| 2004 | 11,997 | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 12,728 | +6.1% |
| 2006 | 14,042 | +10.3% |
| 2007 | 19,074 | +35.8% |
| 2008 | 25,132 | +31.8% |
| 2009 | 31,630 | +25.9% |
| 2010 | 47,110 | +48.9% |
| 2011 | 57,040 | +21.1% |
| 2012 | 66,679 | +16.9% |
| 2013 | 74,749 | +12.1% |
| 2014 | 83,833 | +12.2% |
| 2015 | 85,657 | +2.2% |
| 2016 | 89,581 | +4.6% |
| 2017 | 83,588 | -6.7% |
| 2018 | 76,757 | -8.2% |
| 2019 | 66,433 | -13.5% |
| 2020 | 58,330 | -12.2% |
| 2021 | 49,382 | -15.3% |
| 2022 | 43,881 | -11.1% |
| 2023 | 42,366 | -3.5% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 42,366 is above the median for high income countries, which is 8,555, 5.0× the median. (75 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 42,366 is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 31,786, 1.3× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 10,322 | 10,159 | 10,484 | 2 |
| 2000s | 16,180 | 10,841 | 31,630 | 10 |
| 2010s | 73,143 | 47,110 | 89,581 | 10 |
| 2020s | 48,490 | 42,366 | 58,330 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More education data for Saudi Arabia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 242,375 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 26,900 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 215,559 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 214,840 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.36 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.45 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.53 % change on previous year (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0976 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in Saudi Arabia?
- Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in Saudi Arabia was 42,366 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 89,581 in 2016.
- What is the lowest total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 10,159 in 1998.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 31st out of 210 countries with data for 2023.
- Is total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 43.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying abroad, all countries, both sexes (UIS estimate) (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 26 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release