Literate and illiterate world population in Belgium

Belgium: Literate and illiterate world population was 3.5% in 1950. ◆ Volatile

Latest (1950)
3.5%
World rank
85th
of 128 countries
All-time high
90.0%
in 1475
All-time low
3.5%
in 1950
Years of data
9
1475–1950

Literate and illiterate world population in Belgium, 1475–1950

0204060801001475171219501475: 90 %1550: 83 %1650: 75 %1750: 87 %1900: 19.6 %1910: 13.4 %1920: 7.8 %1930: 5.9 %1950: 3.5 %

Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

In 1950, literate and illiterate world population in Belgium stood at 3.5%. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.

Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Belgium peaked at 90.0% in 1475 and was at its lowest, 3.5%, in 1950.

Belgium ranks 85th of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Literate and illiterate world population in Belgium, year by year

Annual values for Literate and illiterate world population in Belgium, 1475 to 1950.
Year % Change
1475 90.0% —
1550 83.0% -7.8%
1650 75.0% -9.6%
1750 87.0% +16.0%
1900 19.6% -77.5%
1910 13.4% -31.6%
1920 7.8% -41.8%
1930 5.9% -24.4%
1950 3.5% -40.7%

Belgium compared with similar countries

  • Belgium's 3.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.2%, 1.6× the median. (33 countries reporting)
  • Belgium's 3.5% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1.5%, 2.3× the median. (25 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1470s 90.0% 90.0% 90.0% 1
1550s 83.0% 83.0% 83.0% 1
1650s 75.0% 75.0% 75.0% 1
1750s 87.0% 87.0% 87.0% 1
1900s 19.6% 19.6% 19.6% 1
1910s 13.4% 13.4% 13.4% 1
1920s 7.8% 7.8% 7.8% 1
1930s 5.9% 5.9% 5.9% 1
1950s 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 1

Countries ranked near Belgium

  1. 82 Panama 3.8%
  2. 83 Chile 3.6% compare
  3. 84 Kuwait 3.5%
  4. 85 France 3.5% compare
  5. 85 United States 3.5% compare
  6. 88 Macao 3.5%

See the full ranking of 128 places →

More population data for Belgium

All data for Belgium →

Frequently asked questions

What is literate and illiterate world population in Belgium?
Literate and illiterate world population in Belgium was 3.5% in 1950, according to UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
What is the highest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Belgium?
The highest recorded value was 90.0% in 1475.
What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Belgium?
The lowest recorded value was 3.5% in 1950.
How does Belgium rank for literate and illiterate world population?
Belgium ranks 85th out of 128 countries with data for 1950.
Where does this Belgium data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Literate and illiterate world population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Literate and illiterate world population in Belgium. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Retrieved 25 September 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/literate-and-illiterate-world-population/belgium/

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About this data

Indicator
Literate and illiterate world population
Unit
%
Source
UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
128 places, 1,272 data points, 1475–2024
Last refreshed

Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.