Compare countries · Qatar vs Saudi Arabia
Qatar vs Saudi Arabia
Qatar(Asia)·
Saudi Arabia(Asia)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Qatar leads on 8, Saudi Arabia on 3, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Qatar
50.4
Worse than 68% of countries
Saudi Arabia
43.9
Worse than 56% of countries
Saudi Arabia: 13% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Qatar
40.0
Worse than 94% of countries
Saudi Arabia
13.5
Around the global middle
Saudi Arabia: 66% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Qatar
1.48
Better than 89% of countries
Saudi Arabia
2.34
Worse than 78% of countries
Qatar: more peaceful (1.48 vs 2.34).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Qatar
84.8
Better than 98% of countries
Saudi Arabia
76.7
Better than 91% of countries
Qatar: higher perceived safety (84.8 vs 76.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Qatar
0.875
Better than 79% of countries
Saudi Arabia
0.875
Better than 79% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Qatar
$128,883
Better than 98% of countries
Saudi Arabia
$73,784
Better than 89% of countries
Qatar: 75% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Qatar
82.5 yrs
Better than 88% of countries
Saudi Arabia
79.0 yrs
Better than 76% of countries
Qatar: 3.5 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Qatar
73.6
Better than 82% of countries
Saudi Arabia
62.2
Worse than 56% of countries
Qatar: better-rated healthcare (73.6 vs 62.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Qatar
197 Mbps
Better than 77% of countries
Saudi Arabia
164 Mbps
Better than 71% of countries
Qatar: 20% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Qatar
60/100
Better than 58% of countries
Saudi Arabia
19/100
Worse than 98% of countries
Qatar: freer press (60 vs 19 of 100).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Qatar
469
Worse than 70% of countries
Saudi Arabia
404
Worse than 93% of countries
Qatar: stronger English proficiency (469 vs 404).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Qatar
36.0
Worse than 98% of countries
Saudi Arabia
38.6
Worse than 95% of countries
Saudi Arabia: more pleasant climate rating (38.6 vs 36.0).
Not comparable for this pair
- Happiness: The World Happiness Report doesn't cover one of these countries.
Deciding between Qatar and Saudi Arabia for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Saudi Arabia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.