Literate and illiterate world population in Brazil
Brazil: Literate and illiterate world population was 5.3% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Brazil, 1900–2024
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 Brazil is 5.3%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.1% on the previous year and down 36.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Brazil peaked at 65.3% in 1900 and was at its lowest, 5.2%, in 2021.
Brazil ranks 74th of 128 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.
Literate and illiterate world population in Brazil, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 65.3% | — |
| 1920 | 64.9% | -0.6% |
| 1940 | 56.1% | -13.6% |
| 1950 | 52.5% | -6.4% |
| 1980 | 25.4% | -51.6% |
| 2000 | 13.6% | -46.4% |
| 2004 | 11.4% | -16.5% |
| 2006 | 10.4% | -8.8% |
| 2007 | 10.0% | -3.8% |
| 2008 | 10.0% | -0.3% |
| 2009 | 9.7% | -2.6% |
| 2010 | 9.6% | -0.8% |
| 2011 | 8.6% | -10.7% |
| 2012 | 8.7% | +0.8% |
| 2013 | 8.5% | -1.6% |
| 2014 | 8.3% | -2.9% |
| 2015 | 8.0% | -3.9% |
| 2016 | 7.2% | -9.6% |
| 2017 | 6.9% | -3.8% |
| 2018 | 6.8% | -2.2% |
| 2019 | 6.1% | -9.8% |
| 2020 | 5.3% | -13.9% |
| 2021 | 5.2% | -0.5% |
| 2022 | 5.6% | +7.6% |
| 2023 | 5.4% | -3.5% |
| 2024 | 5.3% | -3.1% |
Brazil compared with similar countries
- Brazil's 5.3% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.6%, 1.2× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Brazil's 5.3% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 5.6%, 94% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Literate and illiterate world population in Brazil changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | -51.6% | 52.5% | 25.4% |
| 2000 | -46.4% | 25.4% | 13.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 65.3% | 65.3% | 65.3% | 1 |
| 1920s | 64.9% | 64.9% | 64.9% | 1 |
| 1940s | 56.1% | 56.1% | 56.1% | 1 |
| 1950s | 52.5% | 52.5% | 52.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 25.4% | 25.4% | 25.4% | 1 |
| 2000s | 10.8% | 9.7% | 13.6% | 6 |
| 2010s | 7.9% | 6.1% | 9.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.4% | 5.2% | 5.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Brazil
More population data for Brazil
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.5984 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.7328 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.2798 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.7328 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.7% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 6.45 million people (2100)
- Population density 19.55 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.7% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.8366 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.4122 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Brazil?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Brazil was 5.3% in 2024, 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 Brazil?
- The highest recorded value was 65.3% in 1900.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Brazil?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.2% in 2021.
- How does Brazil rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Brazil ranks 74th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Brazil?
- Over the last ten years it is down 36.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Brazil 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.