Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	111st best
Capital	Riyadh
Land Area	2 149 690km21
Location	Asia, The Middle East
Population	33.7m2
Life Expectancy	76.94yrs (2017)3
GNI	$46 112 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	SA, SAU, 6825
Internet Domain	.sa6
Currency	Rial (SAR)7
Telephone	+9668

1. Overview
2. Saudi Arabia National and Social Development
3. Saudi Arabia's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Saudi Arabia's Health
6. Saudi Arabia's Modernity and Learning
7. National Culture
8. Peace Versus Instability
9. The Natural Environment
10. Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Religion and Beliefs
12. Links

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1. Overview

#bahrain #iraq #islam #kuwait #saudi_arabia #USA

“Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. One of his male descendants rules the country today, as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. King ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz ascended to the throne in 2005. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong on-going campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. King ABDALLAH has continued the cautious reform program begun when he was crown prince. The king instituted an interfaith dialogue initiative in 2008 to encourage religious tolerance on a global level; in 2009, he reshuffled the cabinet, which led to more moderates holding ministerial and judicial positions, and appointed the first female to the cabinet. The 2010-12 uprisings across Middle Eastern and North African countries sparked modest incidents in Saudi cities, predominantly by Shia demonstrators calling for the release of detainees and the withdrawal from Bahrain of the Gulf Cooperation Council's Peninsula Shield Force. Protests in general were met by a strong police presence, with some arrests, but not the level of bloodshed seen in protests elsewhere in the region. In response to the unrest, King ABDALLAH in February and March 2011 announced a series of benefits to Saudi citizens including funds to build affordable housing, salary increases for government workers, and unemployment entitlements. To promote increased political participation, the government held elections nationwide in September 2011 for half the members of 285 municipal councils. Also in September, the king announced that women will be allowed to run for and vote in future municipal elections - first held in 2005 - and serve as full members of the advisory Consultative Council. During 2012, Shia protests increased in violence, while peaceful Sunni protests expanded. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds more than 20% of the world's proven oil reserves. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in December 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the kingdom. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are ongoing governmental concerns.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“The birthplace and spiritual home of Islam, Saudi Arabia is as rich in attractions as it is in stirring symbolism. If you are not a Muslim pilgrim performing the hajj, or an expat working in the oil industry, Saudi Arabia is one of the most difficult places on earth to visit. For those travellers who do get in, rock-hewn Madain Saleh is the Arabian peninsula´s greatest archaeological treasure. Other wonders abound, from the echoes of TE Lawrence along the Hejaz Railway to the mudbrick ruins of Dir´aiyah. Jeddah, gateway to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, has an enchanting old city made of coral, while the Red Sea coast has world-class diving without the crowds. Elsewhere, this is a land of astonishing natural beauty, particularly the plunging landscapes of the Asir Mountains in the Kingdom´s southwest.Best of all, there are few places left that can be said to represent the last frontier of tourism. Whether you´re an expat or a pilgrim, Saudi Arabia is one of them.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

“[In 2017] King Salman removed Mohammed bin Nayef as interior minister and crown prince, and appointed his son, Mohammed bin Salman, as the new crown prince. Mohammed bin Salman also serves as minister of defense. The succession move followed the removal of the country´s notorious prosecution service from the Interior Ministry and its transformation into an agency reporting directly to the royal court.

In addition, in July [2017], King Salman removed the domestic intelligence agency and counterterrorism powers from the Interior Ministry and merged them into the newly created Presidency of State Security, which reports directly to the royal court. In September, the king decreed that women will be allowed to drive from June 2018, ending a long-standing ban.”

"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₁₁

2. Saudi Arabia National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)12
Pos.		Higher is better Value12
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
34	Poland	0.876
35	Bahrain	0.875
36	Lithuania	0.875
37	Saudi Arabia	0.875
38	Portugal	0.866
39	Latvia	0.863
40	Croatia	0.858
41	Andorra	0.858
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)12
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $12
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
22	Finland	$49 452
23	Australia	$49 238
24	Canada	$46 808
25	Saudi Arabia	$46 112
26	France	$45 937
27	UK	$45 225
28	S. Korea	$44 501
29	New Zealand	$44 057
	Asia Avg	$22 215
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index13
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank13
1	Norway	25.2
2	Denmark	26.1
3	Taiwan	26.6
	...
108	Antigua & Barbuda	75.6
109	Grenada	76.0
110	Bahrain	76.5
111	Saudi Arabia	76.6
112	Senegal	76.7
113	Oman	76.7
114	Lebanon	77.0
115	Belize	77.1
	Asia Avg	72.4
	World Avg	70.6
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Saudi Arabia's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Saudi Arabia's population is predicted to rise to 38.48 million by 2030. These millions of extra people will all need space to live, food to eat, energy to consume, and will increase the burden on the planet's resources. This country has a fertility rate of 2.67. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
38	Afghanistan	37.2m
39	Canada	37.1m
40	Morocco	36.0m
41	Saudi Arabia	33.7m
42	Uzbekistan	32.5m
43	Peru	32.0m
44	Malaysia	31.5m
45	Angola	30.8m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better12
Pos.		2021 Years12
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
46	USA	77.2
47	Estonia	77.1
48	Costa Rica	77.0
49	Saudi Arabia	76.9
50	Albania	76.5
51	Poland	76.5
52	Sri Lanka	76.4
53	Algeria	76.4
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		201314
1	N. Korea	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
	...
108	Austria	1.35
109	Egypt	2.65
110	Singapore	1.35
111	Saudi Arabia	2.67
112	Portugal	1.31
113	Belize	2.70
114	Malta	1.28
115	Syria	2.81
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3	Chad	04.7
	...
63	Equatorial Guinea	09.4
64	Kiribati	09.5
65	Guatemala	09.5
66	Saudi Arabia	09.5
67	Haiti	09.6
68	Vanuatu	09.9
69	Cape Verde	10.0
70	Philippines	10.3
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
9	Luxembourg	45.3%
10	Oman	44.7%
11	Hong Kong	39.1%
12	Saudi Arabia	37.0%
13	Jordan	33.3%
14	Nauru	32.7%
15	Lebanon	31.9%
16	Switzerland	29.6%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
181	Ethiopia	0.7%
182	Tanzania	0.7%
183	Brazil	0.7%
184	Saudi Arabia	0.7%
185	Qatar	0.7%
186	Nigeria	0.6%
187	Maldives	0.6%
188	China	0.6%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #saudi_arabia #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	9.2
2	Norway	14.7
3	Denmark	14.7
	...
150	Ethiopia	116.9
151	Guinea-Bissau	117.3
152	Gambia	117.4
153	Saudi Arabia	117.6
154	Liberia	118.0
155	Qatar	119.3
	Asia Avg	99.8
	World Avg	87.7
q=199.

Saudi Arabia is amongst the worst places in the world at ensuring human rights and freedom, and it has severe cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. Saudi Arabia does worse than average in its nominal commitment to Human Rights₁₉ and in speed of uptake of HR treaties₂₀. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 when it comes to its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₁, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₂, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₃, supporting press freedom₂₄, freethought₂₅ (amongst the highest in Asia) and in LGBT equality₂₆ (amongst the lowest in Asia). There is no freedom of religion or belief in Saudi Arabia_27,28. Saudi Arabia's form of Wahhabi Islam makes the country fundamentally opposed to basic Human Rights and human rights campaigners are persecuted and imprisoned₁₁. The legal and social system systematically objectifies and subjugates women, although from 2017 there have been signs that things may get a little better, in some areas due to actions of King Salman, such as decreeing that from 2018 women can drive cars.₁₁; but years later, any meaningful change beyond that has not transpired₂₉.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Saudi Arabia

5. Saudi Arabia's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #Saudi_Arabia #smoking #vaccines

Compared to Asia (2020)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Hong Kong	18.3
2	Maldives	41.0
3	Singapore	42.6
	...
14	Bangladesh	66.8
15	Kuwait	67.1
16	Uzbekistan	68.4
17	Saudi Arabia	69.3
18	Qatar	70.6
19	Iran	75.5
20	UAE	75.8
21	Bahrain	77.3
22	Armenia	78.4
	Asia Avg	80.1
q=50.

Health (2020)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Hong Kong	18.3
3	Maldives	41.0
	...
20	Kuwait	67.1
21	Italy	67.5
22	Uzbekistan	68.4
23	Saudi Arabia	69.3
24	Spain	69.6
25	Qatar	70.6
26	Portugal	72.3
27	Luxembourg	72.9
	World Avg	93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives₃₁. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau₃₁.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean₃₁, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa₃₁.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Public health in Saudi Arabia is very good. Saudi Arabia comes in the best 20 when it comes to its alcohol consumption rate₃₂, its immunizations take-up₃₃ and in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₄ (amongst the lowest in Asia). It does better than average in terms of its adolescent birth rate₃₅ and in its average life expectancy₁₂. Saudi Arabia still has work to do. Saudi Arabia does worse than average in terms of its fertility rate₁₄ and in its smoking rate₃₆. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Saudi Arabia improved by +8.4yrs in the 30 years from 1990, just over the global average improvement of +7.9yrs.

Life Expectancy Higher is better12
Pos.		2021 Years12
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
46	USA	77.2
47	Estonia	77.1
48	Costa Rica	77.0
49	Saudi Arabia	76.9
50	Albania	76.5
51	Poland	76.5
52	Sri Lanka	76.4
53	Algeria	76.4
	Asia Avg	73.48
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better32
Pos.		2016 Per Capita32
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
4	Mauritania	0.0
5	Somalia	0.0
6	Yemen	0.1
7	Afghanistan	0.2
8	Saudi Arabia	0.2
9	Syria	0.3
10	Pakistan	0.3
11	Kiribati	0.4
12	Iraq	0.4
	Asia Avg	3.9
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		201314
1	N. Korea	2.00
2	Brunei	1.99
3	St Vincent & Grenadines	2.01
	...
108	Austria	1.35
109	Egypt	2.65
110	Singapore	1.35
111	Saudi Arabia	2.67
112	Portugal	1.31
113	Belize	2.70
114	Malta	1.28
115	Syria	2.81
	Asia Avg	2.46
	World Avg	2.81
q=180.

Smoking Rates Lower is better36
Pos.		201436
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
143	Denmark	1 378
144	Georgia	1 378
145	Cuba	1 392
146	Saudi Arabia	1 395
147	Netherlands	1 396
148	Poland	1 396
149	Italy	1 443
150	Germany	1 480
	Asia Avg	1 035
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better34
Pos.		2017 Rank34
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
12	Finland	12
13	Australia	13
14	UAE	14
15	Saudi Arabia	15
16	Belgium	16
17	New Zealand	17
18	Jordan	18
19	S. Korea	19
	Asia Avg	64.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better37
Pos.		2016 %37
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
176	Lebanon	67.9
177	USA	67.9
178	Jordan	69.6
179	Saudi Arabia	69.7
180	Qatar	71.7
181	Kuwait	73.4
182	Micronesia	75.9
183	Samoa	77.6
	Asia Avg	44.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better35
Pos.		2015 Per 100035
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
	...
25	Belgium	8.2
26	Spain	8.4
27	Bosnia & Herzegovina	8.6
28	Saudi Arabia	8.8
29	France	8.9
30	Croatia	9.5
31	Israel	9.7
32	Canada	9.8
	Asia Avg	29.9
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better33
Pos.		2015 Avg %33
1	Hungary	99.0
2	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
11	Bahrain	98.2
12	Iran	98.1
13	Finland	98.1
14	Saudi Arabia	98.0
15	Luxembourg	98.0
16	Oman	98.0
17	Antigua & Barbuda	98.0
18	Cuba	97.9
	Asia Avg	90.5
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Saudi Arabia's Modernity and Learning

#education #intelligence #it_security #modernity #politics #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2020)38
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank38
1	Taiwan	10.0
2	Japan	21.9
3	S. Korea	24.0
	...
10	Macau	50.8
11	Cyprus	54.0
12	UAE	56.0
13	Saudi Arabia	60.4
14	Uzbekistan	61.7
15	China	61.9
16	Kazakhstan	63.3
17	Georgia	65.1
18	Vietnam	67.1
	Asia Avg	79.0
q=51.

Modernity & Learning (2020)38
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank38
1	Finland	8.4
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	15.1
	...
61	Bosnia & Herzegovina	58.1
62	Palau	59.3
63	Mexico	59.8
64	Saudi Arabia	60.4
65	Uzbekistan	61.7
66	China	61.9
67	Kazakhstan	63.3
68	Monaco	64.5
	World Avg	83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2939
2	Israel	4.1139
3	Japan	3.5839
	...
111	Paraguay	0.0940
112	Congo, DR	0.0841
113	Indonesia	0.0842
114	Saudi Arabia	0.0743
115	Algeria	0.0744
116	Cape Verde	0.0745
117	Trinidad & Tobago	0.0540
118	Macau	0.0542
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better46
Pos.		201846
1	Luxembourg	100.0%
2	Estonia	100.0%
3	Austria	100.0%
	...
70	Samoa	74.5%
71	Trinidad & Tobago	73.4%
72	Philippines	73.2%
73	Saudi Arabia	72.8%
74	Andorra	72.3%
75	Panama	72.2%
76	UAE	70.7%
77	Brunei	70.1%
	Asia Avg	66.0%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better47
Pos.		2021 Years47
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
32	Italy	16.2
33	Czechia	16.2
34	Latvia	16.2
35	Saudi Arabia	16.1
36	Israel	16.1
37	Tonga	16.0
38	Poland	16.0
39	Austria	16.0
	Asia Avg	13.5
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better34
Pos.		2017 Rank34
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
78	Colombia	78
79	Liberia	79
80	Kyrgyzstan	80
81	Saudi Arabia	81
82	Uganda	82
83	Mauritius	83
84	UAE	84
85	Tonga	85
	Asia Avg	97.1
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

IQ Higher is better48
Pos.		200648
1	Hong Kong	108
2	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
83	Panama	84
84	Paraguay	84
85	Morocco	84
86	Saudi Arabia	84
87	Algeria	83
88	Libya	83
89	Tunisia	83
90	Oman	83
	Asia Avg	90.4
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

“Saudi Arabia is as infamous as Pakistan for its deadly serious approach to blasphemy, against a backdrop of general religious intolerance and barbarism. For example in 2002 it was reported that Saudi Arabia's government began denying access to websites containing general religious content on Christianity, Islam, Paganism, Judaism and Hinduism₄₉. This, like other moves in the region, is designed to keep Muslim populations' access to information limited, so that they will remain steadfast in the "correct" form of Islam as judged by the authorities.”

"Blasphemy and Censorship: In Christianity and Islam: 4.1. Islam: Blasphemy and Censorship"
Vexen Crabtree (2012)

Internet Users Higher is better50
Pos.		201650
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
68	Uruguay	65%
69	Antigua & Barbuda	65%
70	Greece	65%
71	Saudi Arabia	65%
72	French Polynesia	64%
73	Albania	63%
74	Palestine	63%
75	Montenegro	62%
	Asia Avg	48.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

Freedom On The Internet Lower is better51
Pos.		201251
1	Estonia	10
2	USA	12
3	Germany	15
	...
36	Pakistan	63
37	Belarus	69
38	Bahrain	71
39	Saudi Arabia	71
40	Vietnam	73
41	Ethiopia	75
42	Myanmar (Burma)	75
43	Uzbekistan	77
	Asia Avg	56.6
	World Avg	46.7
q=47.

IT Security Lower is better52
Pos.		201352
1	Ireland	0.11
2	Luxembourg	0.11
3	Belize	0.11
	...
38	Laos	0.86
39	Spain	0.88
40	Kuwait	0.93
41	Saudi Arabia	0.93
42	Malaysia	0.96
43	Canada	0.96
44	Tajikistan	1.01
45	Brazil	1.02
	Asia Avg	1.08
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better53
Pos.		2017 Ratio53
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
27	Austria	7.5
28	Hungary	7.4
29	Guatemala	6.9
30	Saudi Arabia	6.8
31	Vietnam	5.9
32	Slovenia	5.4
33	Bolivia	5.0
34	Macau	4.2
	Asia Avg	2.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

7. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

World Giving Index Higher is better54
Pos.		2022 %54
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
85	Lithuania	37.0
86	Panama	36.0
87	El Salvador	36.0
88	Saudi Arabia	36.0
89	S. Africa	35.0
90	Ivory Coast	35.0
91	Congo, (Brazzaville)	35.0
92	Namibia	35.0
	Asia Avg	37.9
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better55
Pos.		2022 Points55
1	Denmark	90.0
2	Finland	87.0
3	New Zealand	87.0
	...
53	Greece	52.0
54	Rwanda	51.0
55	Malta	51.0
56	Saudi Arabia	51.0
57	Croatia	50.0
58	Mauritius	50.0
59	Namibia	49.0
60	Vanuatu	48.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better56
Pos.		2018 Score56
1	Finland	7.6
2	Norway	7.6
3	Denmark	7.6
	...
30	Guatemala	6.4
31	Uruguay	6.4
32	Qatar	6.4
33	Saudi Arabia	6.4
34	Singapore	6.3
35	Malaysia	6.3
36	Spain	6.3
37	Colombia	6.3
	Asia Avg	5.29
	World Avg	5.38
q=156.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better34
Pos.		2017 Rank34
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
133	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	133
134	Mali	134
135	Chad	135
136	Saudi Arabia	136
137	Congo, (Brazzaville)	137
138	Algeria	138
139	Azerbaijan	139
140	Paraguay	140
	Asia Avg	99.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better34
Pos.		2017 Rank34
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
82	Costa Rica	82
83	Kuwait	83
84	Belarus	84
85	Saudi Arabia	85
86	Azerbaijan	86
87	Uganda	87
88	Vietnam	88
89	Central African Rep.	89
	Asia Avg	86.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

8. Peace Versus Instability

#2010s #extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better57
Pos.		2023 Score57
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
116	Belarus	2.25
117	Kenya	2.25
118	Mozambique	2.26
119	Saudi Arabia	2.26
120	Honduras	2.27
121	Egypt	2.27
122	El Salvador	2.28
123	Nicaragua	2.29
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better34
Pos.		2017 Rank34
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
138	Cape Verde	138
139	St Lucia	139
140	Kuwait	140
141	Saudi Arabia	141
142	St Vincent & Grenadines	142
143	Belize	143
144	Haiti	144
145	Libya	145
	Asia Avg	76.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better34
Pos.		2017 Rank34
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
114	Morocco	114
115	Iraq	115
116	Dominica	116
117	Saudi Arabia	117
118	Lesotho	118
119	Oman	119
120	Egypt	120
121	Colombia	121
	Asia Avg	92.2
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better58
Pos.		2019 Score58
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
118	Burundi	5.10
119	Palestine	5.18
120	Bangladesh	5.21
121	Saudi Arabia	5.24
122	Ethiopia	5.35
123	UK	5.41
124	Burkina Faso	5.42
125	Myanmar (Burma)	5.51
	Asia Avg	3.60
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

9. The Natural Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #over-exploitation #the_environment

Forest Area Change 1990-2015 Higher is better59
Pos.		2015 %59
1	Iceland	+205.6
2	Bahrain	+144.4
3	Uruguay	+131.3
	...
91	Kiribati	00.0
92	Andorra	00.0
93	Malta	00.0
94	Saudi Arabia	00.0
95	Grenada	00.0
96	Oman	00.0
97	Bahamas	00.0
98	Barbados	00.0
	Asia Avg	+07.0
	World Avg	+02.8
q=184.

Environmental Performance Higher is better60
Pos.		201860
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
83	Mongolia	57.5
84	Serbia	57.5
85	Chile	57.5
86	Saudi Arabia	57.5
87	Ecuador	57.4
88	Algeria	57.2
89	Cape Verde	56.9
90	Mauritius	56.6
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better61
Pos.		201461
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
82	Nigeria	07.30
83	Georgia	07.25
84	Vietnam	07.14
85	Saudi Arabia	07.04
86	Honduras	06.80
87	Bulgaria	06.54
88	Qatar	06.49
89	Finland	06.33
	Asia Avg	09.14
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		0 Signed
1	China	1993 Dec 29
2	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
3	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
179	Liberia	2001 Feb 06
180	Malta	2001 Mar 29
181	Libya	2001 Oct 10
182	Saudi Arabia	2002 Jan 01
183	Serbia	2002 May 30
184	Kuwait	2002 Oct 31
185	Bosnia & Herzegovina	2002 Nov 24
186	Afghanistan	2002 Dec 18
	Asia Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better62
Pos.		2011 %62
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
99	Ireland	27.9%
100	Israel	27.6%
101	Palestine	27.5%
102	Saudi Arabia	27.2%
103	Belgium	26.9%
104	Syria	26.6%
105	Qatar	26.5%
106	Bahrain	26.3%
	Asia Avg	37.9%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#health #inequality #life_expectancy

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better63
Pos.		201963
1	Iceland	2.40
2	Singapore	2.50
3	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
50	Chile	6.30
51	USA	6.30
52	Romania	6.30
53	Saudi Arabia	6.40
54	Oman	6.70
55	Bahamas	6.80
56	Sri Lanka	7.00
57	Costa Rica	7.10
	Asia Avg	11.80
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#atheism #belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #humanism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #saudi_arabia #secularisation

Disbelief In God (2007)64
Pos.		Higher is better %64
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
120	Ivory Coast	0
121	Pakistan	0
122	Niger	0
123	Saudi Arabia	0
124	Rwanda	0
125	Cameroon	0
126	Philippines	0
127	Kuwait	0
128	Madagascar	0
129	Nigeria	0
130	Malawi	0
131	Chad	0
132	Nepal	0
133	Morocco	0
134	Mauritania	0
135	Mali	0
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₆₅:

Christian	4.4%
Muslim	93%
Hindu	1.1%
Buddhist	0.3%
Folk Religion	0.3%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	0.7%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states simply: Muslim (official) 100%₆₆.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: Saudi Arabia's form of Wahhabi Islam (a kind of Sunni Islam) makes the country fundamentally opposed to Human Rights. Sociologists Grim & Finke place Saudi Arabia into the worst categories of religious freedom and persecution, along with just 13 other countries. In 1948 Saudi Arabia was one of just 8 countries that refused to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, disagreeing that people had the right to choose their religion₆₇. Non-religious folk such as Humanists are in an impossible situation, and prosecutions can be made for 'promoting atheism' if they don't conceal themselves₂₉; other religions and Muslim minorities such as Twelver Shia and Ismailis are also persecuted₁₁.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?
• Human Rights and Freedom in Saudi Arabia: 4.3. Freedom of Thought

There isn't much information in the database for Saudi Arabia, most likely because it is either a part of another country (i.e., a territory or possession) and therefore most international statistics are counted for the country as a whole, or, this is such an exotic place that little data exists about it.