Literate and illiterate world population in Benin
Benin: Literate and illiterate world population was 48.6% in 2022. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in Benin, 1979–2022
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for literate and illiterate world population in Benin is 48.6%, measured in 2022. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
That represents a change of down 13.4% on the previous year and down 12.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Benin peaked at 83.5% in 1979 and was at its lowest, 48.6%, in 2022.
Benin ranks 11th of 128 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Literate and illiterate world population in Benin, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 83.5% | — |
| 1992 | 72.8% | -12.9% |
| 2002 | 65.3% | -10.2% |
| 2011 | 55.3% | -15.3% |
| 2013 | 54.9% | -0.7% |
| 2017 | 61.1% | +11.3% |
| 2019 | 51.0% | -16.6% |
| 2021 | 56.2% | +10.1% |
| 2022 | 48.6% | -13.4% |
Benin compared with similar countries
- Benin's 48.6% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 21.8%, 2.2× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Benin's 48.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 29.1%, 1.7× the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 83.5% | 83.5% | 83.5% | 1 |
| 1990s | 72.8% | 72.8% | 72.8% | 1 |
| 2000s | 65.3% | 65.3% | 65.3% | 1 |
| 2010s | 55.6% | 51.0% | 61.1% | 4 |
| 2020s | 52.4% | 48.6% | 56.2% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Benin
More population data for Benin
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.6566 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.4203 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -4.22 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.4203 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 2.95 million people (2100)
- Population density 351.08 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.4% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1997 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.48 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Benin?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Benin was 48.6% in 2022, 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 Benin?
- The highest recorded value was 83.5% in 1979.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Benin?
- The lowest recorded value was 48.6% in 2022.
- How does Benin rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Benin ranks 11th out of 128 countries with data for 2022.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Benin?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Benin 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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About this data
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.