Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) was 28.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
28.5%
Change on year
up 12.8%
World rank
83rd
of 92 countries
All-time high
58.8%
in 2021
All-time low
1.4%
in 2009
Years of data
6
2009–2024
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Saudi Arabia, 2009–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
Saudi Arabia recorded 28.5% for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in 2024.
That represents a change of up 12.8% on the previous year and up 310.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Saudi Arabia peaked at 58.8% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 1.4%, in 2009.
Saudi Arabia ranks 83rd of 92 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1.4% | — |
| 2013 | 6.9% | +390.3% |
| 2021 | 58.8% | +746.5% |
| 2022 | 27.4% | -53.3% |
| 2023 | 25.3% | -7.9% |
| 2024 | 28.5% | +12.8% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 28.5% is below the median for high income countries, which is 46.4%, 61% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 28.5% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 41.1%, 69% of the median. (10 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1 |
| 2010s | 6.9% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 1 |
| 2020s | 35.0% | 25.3% | 58.8% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More science & technology data for Saudi Arabia
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 159.54 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.53 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 54.18 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 24.41 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 1.12 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 3.24 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 24,595 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0007 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Saudi Arabia?
- Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Saudi Arabia was 28.5% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 58.8% in 2021.
- What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.4% in 2009.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc)?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 83rd out of 92 countries with data for 2024.
- Is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 310.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Government. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 6 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release