South Africa vs Saudi Arabia Country Comparison
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Comparative Statistics (South Africa vs Saudi Arabia)
ⓘ When data for the selected year is missing, the closest prior year with data is used instead. Whenever the two countries' data points are 5+ years apart those indicators are excluded from the total score.
Saudi Arabia leads against South Africa in 10 of 10 comparable indicators, while South Africa leads in 0. South Africa's strongest global position is 97th (2024) in Regulatory Quality - Governance score (0-100). Saudi Arabia's strongest global position is 4th (2024) in Individuals using the Internet (% of population).
- Saudi Arabia wins against South Africa in GDP growth (annual %): 4.50 (2025, ranked 62nd) vs 1.11 (2025, ranked 172nd).
- Saudi Arabia wins against South Africa in GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $): 63,051.05 (2025, ranked 26th) vs 13,592.05 (2025, ranked 120th).
- Saudi Arabia wins against South Africa in Individuals using the Internet (% of population): 100 (2024, ranked 4th) vs 78.36 (2024, ranked 118th).
- Saudi Arabia wins against South Africa in Life expectancy at birth, total (years): 78.98 (2024, ranked 57th) vs 66.31 (2024, ranked 183rd).
- Saudi Arabia wins against South Africa in Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group): 103.54 (2024, ranked 18th) vs 88.31 (2023, ranked 105th).
- Saudi Arabia wins against South Africa in Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate): 3.04 (2025, ranked 41st) vs 32.39 (2025, ranked 186th).
- Saudi Arabia wins against South Africa in Political Stability - Governance score (0-100): 65.07 (2024, ranked 110th) vs 55.35 (2024, ranked 155th).
- Saudi Arabia wins against South Africa in Regulatory Quality - Governance score (0-100): 66.06 (2024, ranked 45th) vs 53.91 (2024, ranked 97th).
- Saudi Arabia wins against South Africa in Rule of Law - Governance score (0-100): 60.59 (2024, ranked 86th) vs 57.27 (2024, ranked 97th).
- Saudi Arabia wins against South Africa in Control of Corruption - Governance score (0-100): 63.09 (2024, ranked 48th) vs 43.97 (2024, ranked 99th).
| Metric | South Africa(0) | Saudi Arabia(10) |
|---|---|---|
| GDP growth (annual %) | (2025) 1.11 (172/214) | (2025) 4.50 (62/214) |
| GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2021 international $) | (2025) 13,592.05 (120/199) | (2025) 63,051.05 (26/199) |
| Gini index | (2022) 54.10 (167/171) | - |
| Individuals using the Internet (% of population) | (2024) 78.36 (118/213) | (2024) 100 (4/213) |
| Life expectancy at birth, total (years) | (2024) 66.31 (183/217) | (2024) 78.98 (57/217) |
| Lower secondary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group) | (2023) 88.31 (105/197) | (2024) 103.54 (18/197) |
| Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) | (2025) 32.39 (186/187) | (2025) 3.04 (41/187) |
| Political Stability - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 55.35 (155/206) | (2024) 65.07 (110/206) |
| Regulatory Quality - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 53.91 (97/204) | (2024) 66.06 (45/204) |
| Rule of Law - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 57.27 (97/206) | (2024) 60.59 (86/206) |
| Control of Corruption - Governance score (0-100) | (2024) 43.97 (99/206) | (2024) 63.09 (48/206) |