Saudi Arabia
Asia · Western Asia
Tax-free and opening up rapidly, with massive Vision 2030 investment and a conservative society.
At a Glance
📈Saudi Arabia's Human Development Index
0.875
Very High human development#40 of 191 countries worldwide, #8 of 43 in Asia.
Higher than 79% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a vast Arabian Peninsula country with a landscape that ranges from the ancient Nabataean ruins of AlUla and the dramatic Asir highlands to the Red Sea coast and the emptiness of the Rub' al Khali, the largest continuous sand desert on earth. The culture is one of deep Arab and Islamic heritage, and the country is opening gradually to international visitors in ways that offer access to extraordinary ancient sites previously seen by very few. Those who approach with genuine curiosity and respect will find a hospitality rooted in a very old and dignified tradition.
- Women were legally allowed to drive only from 2018.
- Holds roughly 15% of the world's proven oil reserves.
- Has no rivers — all freshwater comes from deserts aquifers or desalination plants.
Quick Facts
Capital
Riyadh
Language
Arabic
Currency
ر.س SAR
Area
2.15M km²
Nomad Hub
Fixed Broadband
164Mbps
Mobile
227Mbps
GDP / Capita
$35K
PPP / Capita
$74K
Inflation
2.1%
Unemployment
3.0%
Innovation (GII)
36.0
GNI / Capita
$36K
Tax Revenue
8.1%
FDI Inflows
2.6%
Education Spend
4.5%
Cost of Living
43.9
Price Level Index
44th pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1990
0.699 → 0.875 (+0.176)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 33 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
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💬Quick answers
What is Saudi Arabia's Human Development Index?
Saudi Arabia's Human Development Index is 0.875 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #40 of 191 countries.
Is Saudi Arabia safe?
Saudi Arabia scores 2.07 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #94 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
How expensive is Saudi Arabia?
Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Saudi Arabia at 43.9 (New York = 100); that is #81 cheapest of 143 countries with data.
What is life expectancy in Saudi Arabia?
Life expectancy at birth in Saudi Arabia is 79.0 yrs (World Bank), ranked #45 of 195 countries.
What is the quality of life in Saudi Arabia?
Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Saudi Arabia at 165.3, ranked #32 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.