China vs Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia scores 76.5 in the NationsTree Index (15th in the world) and China scores 69.8 (36th), a gap of 6.8 points. Their trees are 132 m and 35 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.

China has 38 times the population of Saudi Arabia. China is 4.4 times larger than Saudi Arabia by land area. China has an economy 15 times the size of Saudi Arabia (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: China 1.4 billion and Saudi Arabia 37.0 million (2025).

GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $73,784 in Saudi Arabia and $29,333 in China (2025, international dollars). People in Saudi Arabia live on average 1.0 years longer (79.0 vs 78.0 years).

Of 33 indicators reported by both countries, China ranks higher in the world on 15 and Saudi Arabia on 18. China is clearly stronger in science & innovation, environment & energy and tourism. Saudi Arabia is clearly stronger in military and economy.

As a nation, China is the older of the two (statehood since 1600 BC, 3,625 years), compared with Saudi Arabia (since 1727). Over the last five years Saudi Arabia improved faster (direction score 100 vs 42 out of 100).