http://www.humantruth.info/saudi_arabia.html
By Vexen Crabtree 2013
Saudi Arabia Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | ![]() |
---|---|
Status | Independent State |
Social and Moral Index | 106th 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 |
#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.”
“[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
#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 |
4 | Hong Kong | 0.952 |
5 | Australia | 0.951 |
... | ||
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 |
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 |
4 | Luxembourg | $84 649 |
5 | Ireland | $76 169 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | $22 215 | |
World Avg | $20 136 | |
q=193. |
Social & Moral Development Index13,14 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank13,14 | |
1 | Taiwan | 28.6 |
2 | Norway | 29.4 |
3 | Denmark | 31.2 |
4 | Sweden | 32.2 |
5 | Finland | 32.6 |
... | ||
103 | Nicaragua | 90.8 |
104 | Tajikistan | 90.8 |
105 | Nepal | 90.9 |
106 | Saudi Arabia | 91.4 |
107 | Bahrain | 91.5 |
108 | Andorra | 91.6 |
Asia Avg | 87.1 | |
World Avg | 86.1 | |
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.
#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.Population (2018)2 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Population2 | |
1 | China | 1.4b |
2 | India | 1.4b |
3 | USA | 327.1m |
4 | Indonesia | 267.7m |
5 | Pakistan | 212.2m |
... | ||
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 |
World Avg | 39.0m | |
q=195. |
Life Expectancy (2021)12 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better Years12 | |
1 | Monaco | 85.9 |
2 | Hong Kong | 85.5 |
3 | Japan | 84.8 |
4 | Australia | 84.5 |
5 | Switzerland | 84.0 |
... | ||
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 |
World Avg | 71.28 | |
q=195. |
Fertility Rate (2013)15 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2.0 is best15 | |
1 | N. Korea | 2.00 |
2 | Brunei | 1.99 |
3 | St Vincent & Grenadines | 2.01 |
4 | France | 1.99 |
5 | Turkey | 2.04 |
... | ||
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 |
World Avg | 2.81 | |
q=180. |
Old-Age Dependency Ratio (2016)16 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Per 10016 | |
1 | Uganda | 04.3 |
2 | Mali | 04.5 |
3 | Chad | 04.7 |
4 | Burkina Faso | 04.7 |
5 | Sierra Leone | 04.8 |
... | ||
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 |
World Avg | 18.3 | |
q=185. |
Migration:
Immigrants (2017)17 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | %17 | |
1 | UAE | 88.4% |
2 | Kuwait | 75.5% |
3 | Qatar | 65.2% |
4 | Liechtenstein | 65.1% |
5 | Monaco | 54.9% |
... | ||
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% |
World Avg | 9.4% | |
q=195. |
Emigrants (2010)18 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | %18 | |
1 | Dominica | 104.8% |
2 | Palestine | 68.4% |
3 | Samoa | 67.3% |
4 | Grenada | 65.5% |
5 | St Kitts & Nevis | 61.1% |
... | ||
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% |
World Avg | 11.5% | |
q=192. |
#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #saudi_arabia #tolerance
Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)19,20 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank19,20 | |
1 | Sweden | 9.2 |
2 | Norway | 14.7 |
3 | Denmark | 14.7 |
4 | Netherlands | 15.8 |
5 | New Zealand | 17.5 |
... | ||
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 when it comes to its nominal commitment to Human Rights21 and in speed of uptake of HR treaties22. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice23, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports24 (one of the worst in Asia), supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms25, supporting press freedom26, freethought27 (amongst the highest in Asia) and in LGBT equality28 (amongst the worst in Asia). There is no freedom of religion or belief in Saudi Arabia29,30. 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 transpired31.
For tables, charts and commentary, see:
#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #Saudi_Arabia #smoking #vaccines
Compared to Asia (2020)32,33 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank32,33 | |
1 | Hong Kong | 18.3 |
2 | Maldives | 41.0 |
3 | Singapore | 42.6 |
4 | Japan | 51.0 |
5 | S. Korea | 51.3 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 80.1 | |
q=50. |
Health (2020)32,33 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank32,33 | |
1 | Monaco | 13.0 |
2 | Hong Kong | 18.3 |
3 | Maldives | 41.0 |
4 | Singapore | 42.6 |
5 | Japan | 51.0 |
... | ||
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 |
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 Maldives32. 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 Palau32.
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 Mediterranean32, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa32.
For more, see:
Health:
Public health in Saudi Arabia is very good. Saudi Arabia comes in the best 20 for its alcohol consumption rate34, its immunizations take-up35 and in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance36 (amongst the best in Asia). It does better than average in terms of its adolescent birth rate37 and in its average life expectancy12. But, things still need to improve in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia does worse than average when it comes to its fertility rate15 and in its smoking rate38. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years.Life Expectancy (2021)12 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better Years12 | |
1 | Monaco | 85.9 |
2 | Hong Kong | 85.5 |
3 | Japan | 84.8 |
4 | Australia | 84.5 |
5 | Switzerland | 84.0 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 73.48 | |
World Avg | 71.28 | |
q=195. |
Alcohol Consumption (2016)34 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Per Capita34 | |
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 (2013)15 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | 2.0 is best15 | |
1 | N. Korea | 2.00 |
2 | Brunei | 1.99 |
3 | St Vincent & Grenadines | 2.01 |
4 | France | 1.99 |
5 | Turkey | 2.04 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 2.46 | |
World Avg | 2.81 | |
q=180. |
Smoking Rates (2014)38 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is worse38 | |
182 | Montenegro | 4 125 |
181 | Belarus | 3 831 |
180 | Lebanon | 3 023 |
179 | Macedonia | 2 732 |
178 | Russia | 2 690 |
... | ||
149 | Italy | 1 443 |
148 | Poland | 1 396 |
147 | Netherlands | 1 396 |
146 | Saudi Arabia | 1 395 |
145 | Cuba | 1 392 |
144 | Georgia | 1 378 |
Asia Avg | 1 035 | |
World Avg | 819 | |
q=182. |
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance (2017)36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Rank36 | |
1 | Sweden | 1 |
2 | Ireland | 2 |
3 | Denmark | 3 |
4 | UK | 4 |
5 | Norway | 5 |
... | ||
12 | Finland | 12 |
13 | Australia | 13 |
14 | UAE | 14 |
15 | Saudi Arabia | 15 |
16 | Belgium | 16 |
17 | New Zealand | 17 |
Asia Avg | 64.4 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Overweight Adults (2016)39 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better %39 | |
1 | Vietnam | 18.3 |
2 | India | 19.7 |
3 | Bangladesh | 20.0 |
4 | Ethiopia | 20.9 |
5 | Nepal | 21.0 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 44.3 | |
World Avg | 49.0 | |
q=191. |
Children's Health:
Adolescent Birth Rate (2015)37 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Per 100037 | |
1 | N. Korea | 0.5 |
2 | S. Korea | 1.6 |
3 | Switzerland | 2.9 |
4 | Hong Kong | 3.2 |
5 | Slovenia | 3.8 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 29.9 | |
World Avg | 47.9 | |
q=185. |
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 (2015)35 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better Avg %35 | |
1 | Hungary | 99.0 |
2 | China | 99.0 |
3 | Uzbekistan | 98.9 |
4 | Niue | 98.8 |
5 | Mongolia | 98.7 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 90.5 | |
World Avg | 88.3 | |
q=194. |
#education #intelligence #it_security #modernity #politics #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet
Compared to Asia (2020)20 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank20 | |
1 | Taiwan | 10.0 |
2 | Japan | 21.9 |
3 | S. Korea | 24.0 |
4 | Singapore | 27.9 |
5 | Israel | 32.2 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 79.0 | |
q=51. |
Modernity and Learning (2020)20 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Avg Rank20 | |
1 | Finland | 8.4 |
2 | Taiwan | 10.0 |
3 | Switzerland | 15.1 |
4 | Estonia | 15.8 |
5 | Denmark | 16.0 |
... | ||
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 |
World Avg | 83.2 | |
q=205. |
Modernity and Education:
Research and Development (2016) | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better % RDP PPP | |
1 | S. Korea | 4.2940 |
2 | Israel | 4.1140 |
3 | Japan | 3.5840 |
4 | Finland | 3.1740 |
5 | Sweden | 3.1640 |
... | ||
111 | Paraguay | 0.0941 |
112 | Congo, DR | 0.0842 |
113 | Indonesia | 0.0843 |
114 | Saudi Arabia | 0.0742 |
115 | Algeria | 0.0744 |
116 | Cape Verde | 0.0745 |
Asia Avg | 0.75 | |
World Avg | 0.84 | |
q=126. |
Secondary Education (2018)46 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better46 | |
1 | Luxembourg | 100.0% |
2 | Estonia | 100.0% |
3 | Austria | 100.0% |
4 | Canada | 100.0% |
5 | Finland | 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% |
Asia Avg | 66.0% | |
World Avg | 63.0% | |
q=169. |
Length of Schooling (2021)47 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better Years47 | |
1 | Australia | 21.1 |
2 | New Zealand | 20.3 |
3 | Greece | 20.0 |
4 | Belgium | 19.6 |
5 | Sweden | 19.4 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 13.5 | |
World Avg | 13.5 | |
q=193. |
Intellectual Endeavours (2017)36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Rank36 | |
1 | Ukraine | 1 |
2 | Czechia | 2 |
3 | Hungary | 3 |
4 | Denmark | 4 |
5 | UK | 5 |
... | ||
78 | Colombia | 78 |
79 | Liberia | 79 |
80 | Kyrgyzstan | 80 |
81 | Saudi Arabia | 81 |
82 | Uganda | 82 |
83 | Mauritius | 83 |
Asia Avg | 97.1 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Religiosity (2018)48 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better %48 | |
1 | China | 3 |
2 | Estonia | 6 |
3 | Czechia | 7 |
4 | Switzerland | 9 |
5 | Denmark | 9 |
6 | Germany | 10 |
7 | UK | 10 |
8 | Sweden | 10 |
9 | Japan | 10 |
10 | Finland | 10 |
11 | Latvia | 11 |
12 | France | 11 |
Asia Avg | 55.8 | |
World Avg | 54.3 | |
q=106. |
IQ (2006)49 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better49 | |
1 | Hong Kong | 108 |
2 | Singapore | 108 |
3 | S. Korea | 106 |
4 | Japan | 105 |
5 | Taiwan | 105 |
... | ||
83 | Panama | 84 |
84 | Paraguay | 84 |
85 | Morocco | 84 |
86 | Saudi Arabia | 84 |
87 | Algeria | 83 |
88 | Libya | 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 Hinduism50. 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.”
Internet Users (2016)51 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better51 | |
1 | Iceland | 100% |
2 | Faroe Islands | 99% |
3 | Norway | 98% |
4 | Bermuda | 97% |
5 | Andorra | 97% |
... | ||
68 | Uruguay | 65% |
69 | Antigua & Barbuda | 65% |
70 | Greece | 65% |
71 | Saudi Arabia | 65% |
72 | French Polynesia | 64% |
73 | Albania | 63% |
Asia Avg | 48.7% | |
World Avg | 48.1% | |
q=201. |
Freedom On The Internet (2012)52 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better52 | |
1 | Estonia | 10 |
2 | USA | 12 |
3 | Germany | 15 |
4 | Australia | 18 |
5 | Hungary | 19 |
... | ||
36 | Pakistan | 63 |
37 | Belarus | 69 |
38 | Bahrain | 71 |
39 | Saudi Arabia | 71 |
40 | Vietnam | 73 |
41 | Ethiopia | 75 |
Asia Avg | 56.6 | |
World Avg | 46.7 | |
q=47. |
IT Security (2013)53 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better53 | |
1 | Ireland | 0.11 |
2 | Luxembourg | 0.11 |
3 | Belize | 0.11 |
4 | Hong Kong | 0.12 |
5 | Mexico | 0.16 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 1.08 | |
World Avg | 0.98 | |
q=81. |
IPv6 Uptake (2017)54 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better Ratio54 | |
1 | Belgium | 55.4 |
2 | Germany | 41.8 |
3 | Switzerland | 35.1 |
4 | USA | 35.0 |
5 | Greece | 33.5 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 2.11 | |
World Avg | 3.82 | |
q=176. |
#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics
World Giving Index (2013-2021)55 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better55 | |
1 | Myanmar (Burma) | 2.7 |
2 | New Zealand | 4.0 |
3 | USA | 4.7 |
4 | Australia | 4.9 |
5 | Indonesia | 9.0 |
... | ||
54 | Malawi | 45.7 |
55 | Ghana | 45.9 |
56 | Chile | 47.1 |
57 | Saudi Arabia | 48.6 |
58 | Costa Rica | 49.0 |
59 | Nepal | 49.1 |
Asia Avg | 62.5 | |
World Avg | 67.9 | |
q=160. |
Corruption (2022)56 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better Points56 | |
1 | Denmark | 90.0 |
2 | Finland | 87.0 |
3 | New Zealand | 87.0 |
4 | Norway | 84.0 |
5 | Singapore | 83.0 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 39.98 | |
World Avg | 42.98 | |
q=180. |
Happiness (2018)57 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better57 | |
1 | Finland | 7.6 |
2 | Norway | 7.6 |
3 | Denmark | 7.6 |
4 | Iceland | 7.5 |
5 | Switzerland | 7.5 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 5.29 | |
World Avg | 5.38 | |
q=156. |
Creativity and Culture (2017)36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Rank36 | |
1 | Belgium | 1 |
2 | Netherlands | 2 |
3 | Estonia | 3 |
4 | Switzerland | 4 |
5 | Sweden | 5 |
... | ||
133 | Timor-Leste (E. Timor) | 133 |
134 | Mali | 134 |
135 | Chad | 135 |
136 | Saudi Arabia | 136 |
137 | Congo, (Brazzaville) | 137 |
138 | Algeria | 138 |
Asia Avg | 99.0 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Open Trading, Aid and Development (2017)36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Rank36 | |
1 | Ireland | 1 |
2 | Denmark | 2 |
3 | Sweden | 3 |
4 | Netherlands | 4 |
5 | Switzerland | 5 |
... | ||
82 | Costa Rica | 82 |
83 | Kuwait | 83 |
84 | Belarus | 84 |
85 | Saudi Arabia | 85 |
86 | Azerbaijan | 86 |
87 | Uganda | 87 |
Asia Avg | 86.3 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism
Global Peace Index (2021)58 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better58 | |
1 | Iceland | 1.10 |
2 | New Zealand | 1.25 |
3 | Denmark | 1.26 |
4 | Portugal | 1.27 |
5 | Slovenia | 1.32 |
... | ||
122 | USA | 2.34 |
123 | S. Africa | 2.34 |
124 | Honduras | 2.37 |
125 | Saudi Arabia | 2.38 |
126 | Egypt | 2.40 |
127 | Philippines | 2.42 |
Asia Avg | 2.22 | |
World Avg | 2.08 | |
q=163. |
Peacekeeping and Security (2017)36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Rank36 | |
1 | Samoa | 1 |
2 | S. Africa | 2 |
3 | Tunisia | 3 |
4 | Egypt | 4 |
5 | Nigeria | 5 |
... | ||
138 | Cape Verde | 138 |
139 | St Lucia | 139 |
140 | Kuwait | 140 |
141 | Saudi Arabia | 141 |
142 | St Vincent & Grenadines | 142 |
143 | Belize | 143 |
Asia Avg | 76.0 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Refugees and UN Treaties (2017)36 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Rank36 | |
1 | Austria | 1 |
2 | Germany | 2 |
3 | Netherlands | 3 |
4 | Sweden | 4 |
5 | Malta | 5 |
... | ||
114 | Morocco | 114 |
115 | Iraq | 115 |
116 | Dominica | 116 |
117 | Saudi Arabia | 117 |
118 | Lesotho | 118 |
119 | Oman | 119 |
Asia Avg | 92.2 | |
World Avg | 82.0 | |
q=163. |
Impact of Terrorism (2019)59 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better Score59 | |
1 | Togo | 0.00 |
2 | Mongolia | 0.00 |
3 | Swaziland | 0.00 |
4 | Equatorial Guinea | 0.00 |
5 | Cambodia | 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 |
Asia Avg | 3.60 | |
World Avg | 2.78 | |
q=150. |
#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #over-exploitation #the_environment
Forest Area Change 1990-2015 (2015)60 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better %60 | |
1 | Iceland | +205.6 |
2 | Bahrain | +144.4 |
3 | Uruguay | +131.3 |
4 | Kuwait | +81.2 |
5 | Dominican Rep. | +79.5 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | +07.0 | |
World Avg | +02.8 | |
q=184. |
Environmental Performance (2018)61 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better61 | |
1 | Switzerland | 87.4 |
2 | France | 84.0 |
3 | Denmark | 81.6 |
4 | Malta | 80.9 |
5 | Sweden | 80.5 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 54.5 | |
World Avg | 56.4 | |
q=180. |
Energy to GDP Efficiency (2014)62 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better62 | |
1 | Hong Kong | 26.32 |
2 | Sri Lanka | 20.00 |
3 | Panama | 17.86 |
4 | Colombia | 17.54 |
5 | Ireland | 17.54 |
... | ||
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 |
Asia Avg | 09.14 | |
World Avg | 09.29 | |
q=119. |
Convention on Biological Diversity | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Earlier is better Signed | |
1 | China | 1993 Dec 29 |
2 | Guinea | 1993 Dec 29 |
3 | Cook Islands | 1993 Dec 29 |
4 | Vanuatu | 1993 Dec 29 |
5 | Papua New Guinea | 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 |
Asia Avg | 1899 Dec 30 | |
World Avg | 1899 Dec 30 | |
q=197. |
Rational Beliefs on the Environment (2011)63 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better %63 | |
1 | Argentina | 78.3% |
2 | Greece | 77.6% |
3 | Brazil | 77.1% |
4 | Trinidad & Tobago | 74.5% |
5 | Costa Rica | 74.2% |
... | ||
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% |
Asia Avg | 37.9% | |
World Avg | 39.9% | |
q=145. |
#health #inequality #life_expectancy
Inequality in Life Expectancy (2019)64 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is worse64 | |
184 | Chad | 40.90 |
183 | Central African Rep. | 40.10 |
182 | Sierra Leone | 39.00 |
181 | Somalia | 38.90 |
180 | Nigeria | 37.10 |
... | ||
56 | Sri Lanka | 7.00 |
55 | Bahamas | 6.80 |
54 | Oman | 6.70 |
53 | Saudi Arabia | 6.40 |
52 | Romania | 6.30 |
51 | USA | 6.30 |
Asia Avg | 11.80 | |
World Avg | 14.59 | |
q=184. |
#atheism #belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #humanism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #saudi_arabia #secularisation
Religiosity (2018)48 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Lower is better %48 | |
1 | China | 3 |
2 | Estonia | 6 |
3 | Czechia | 7 |
4 | Switzerland | 9 |
5 | Denmark | 9 |
6 | Germany | 10 |
7 | UK | 10 |
8 | Sweden | 10 |
9 | Japan | 10 |
10 | Finland | 10 |
11 | Latvia | 11 |
12 | France | 11 |
World Avg | 54.3 | |
q=106. |
Disbelief In God (2007)65 | ||
---|---|---|
Pos. | Higher is better %65 | |
1 | Vietnam | 81 |
2 | Japan | 65 |
3 | Sweden | 64 |
4 | Czechia | 61 |
5 | Estonia | 49 |
... | ||
120 | Ivory Coast | 0 |
121 | Pakistan | 0 |
122 | Niger | 0 |
123 | Saudi Arabia | 0 |
124 | Rwanda | 0 |
125 | Cameroon | 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 below66:
Christian | 4.4% |
Muslim | 93% |
Hindu | 1.1% |
Buddhist | 0.3% |
Folk Religion | 0.3% |
Jew | 0.1% |
Unaffiliated | 0.7% |
The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states simply: Muslim (official) 100%67.
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 religion68. Non-religious folk such as Humanists are in an impossible situation, and prosecutions can be made for 'promoting atheism' if they don't conceal themselves31; other religions and Muslim minorities such as Twelver Shia and Ismailis are also persecuted11.
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