Literate and illiterate world population in China
China: Literate and illiterate world population was 3.3% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in China, 1950–2020
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2020, literate and illiterate world population in China stood at 3.3%. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of down 33.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in China peaked at 52.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 3.3%, in 2020.
That places China 90th out of 128 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
Literate and illiterate world population in China, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 52.5% | — |
| 1982 | 34.5% | -34.3% |
| 1990 | 22.2% | -35.6% |
| 2000 | 9.1% | -59.1% |
| 2010 | 4.9% | -46.3% |
| 2020 | 3.3% | -33.2% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 3.3% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.6%, 72% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
- China's 3.3% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.0%, 82% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 52.5% | 52.5% | 52.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 34.5% | 34.5% | 34.5% | 1 |
| 1990s | 22.2% | 22.2% | 22.2% | 1 |
| 2000s | 9.1% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 1 |
| 2010s | 4.9% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 1 |
| 2020s | 3.3% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 1 |
Countries ranked near China
More population data for China
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.19 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.66 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -12.97 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.66 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.7% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 15.54 million people (2100)
- Population density 67.46 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -1.7% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3489 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.1671 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in China?
- Literate and illiterate world population in China was 3.3% in 2020, 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 China?
- The highest recorded value was 52.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.3% in 2020.
- How does China rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- China ranks 90th out of 128 countries with data for 2020.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 33.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China 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.