Reported Social Unrest Index in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Reported Social Unrest Index was 26.28 in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Reported Social Unrest Index in Saudi Arabia, 1990–2026
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
The most recent figure for reported social unrest index in Saudi Arabia is 26.28, measured in 2026.
The figure is down 66.4% on the previous year and down 85.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reported social unrest index in Saudi Arabia peaked at 273.91 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1991.
Saudi Arabia ranks 61st of 133 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reported Social Unrest Index in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 39.62 | — |
| 1991 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 1992 | 42.4 | — |
| 1993 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 1994 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 64.79 | — |
| 1996 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 1997 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 49.13 | — |
| 1999 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 2000 | 0 | — |
| 2001 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 19.13 | — |
| 2003 | 58.57 | +206.2% |
| 2004 | 41.45 | -29.2% |
| 2005 | 20.89 | -49.6% |
| 2006 | 82.32 | +294.0% |
| 2007 | 0 | -100.0% |
| 2008 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 23.01 | — |
| 2010 | 227.88 | +890.3% |
| 2011 | 269.86 | +18.4% |
| 2012 | 51.45 | -80.9% |
| 2013 | 93.24 | +81.2% |
| 2014 | 75.14 | -19.4% |
| 2015 | 137.79 | +83.4% |
| 2016 | 176.96 | +28.4% |
| 2017 | 85.47 | -51.7% |
| 2018 | 198.67 | +132.4% |
| 2019 | 273.91 | +37.9% |
| 2020 | 254.75 | -7.0% |
| 2021 | 79.35 | -68.9% |
| 2022 | 188.74 | +137.9% |
| 2023 | 43.22 | -77.1% |
| 2024 | 166.46 | +285.2% |
| 2025 | 78.13 | -53.1% |
| 2026 | 26.28 | -66.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 19.59 | 0 | 64.79 | 10 |
| 2000s | 24.54 | 0 | 82.32 | 10 |
| 2010s | 159.04 | 51.45 | 273.91 | 10 |
| 2020s | 119.56 | 26.28 | 254.75 | 7 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More economy & growth data for Saudi Arabia
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 2.26 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 3.52 Percent per annum (2029)
- Net primary income (Net income from abroad) (current LCU), annual 22.44 % change on previous year (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current US$), annual growth rate 2.86 % change on previous year (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.0551 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current US$), per capita 1,904 current US$ per person (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current LCU), annual growth rate 2.86 % change on previous year (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current LCU), per unit of GDP 0.2067 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Taxes less subsidies on products (current LCU), per capita 7,140 current LCU per person (2025)
- Special drawing rights per domestic currency (End-of-period (EoP)) 0.1947 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is reported social unrest index in Saudi Arabia?
- Reported social unrest index in Saudi Arabia was 26.28 in 2026, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest reported social unrest index recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 273.91 in 2019.
- What is the lowest reported social unrest index recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1991.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for reported social unrest index?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 61st out of 133 countries with data for 2026.
- Is reported social unrest index rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 85.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Reported Social Unrest Index. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
This dataset provides two measures of social unrest derived from media reports. One is the “A” index from the paper, and the “events” series. Suggested citation: "Barrett, P., Appendino, M., Nguyen, K., & de Leon Miranda, J. (2022). Measuring social unrest using media reports. Journal of Development Economics, 158, 102924." Note: some sources mis-label China and Hong Kong SAR. Series which explicitly adjust for this are available on request from the authors.