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.
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
- World population growth -0.7% (2100)
- Population density 19.55 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 6.45 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.7% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.61 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.61 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 257,079 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.61 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 1.62 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 1.58 children per women (2023)
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.
Download this data
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About this data
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.