Literate and illiterate world population in China
China: Literate and illiterate world population was 3.26 in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2020)
3.26
World rank
90th
of 128 countries
All-time high
52.5
in 1950
All-time low
3.26
in 2020
Years of data
6
1950–2020
Literate and illiterate world population in China, 1950–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2020, literate and illiterate world population in China stood at 3.26. 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, 3.26, 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 | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 52.5 | — |
| 1982 | 34.49 | -34.3% |
| 1990 | 22.21 | -35.6% |
| 2000 | 9.08 | -59.1% |
| 2010 | 4.88 | -46.3% |
| 2020 | 3.26 | -33.2% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 3.26 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.55, 72% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
- China's 3.26 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3.96, 82% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 52.5 | 52.5 | 52.5 | 1 |
| 1980s | 34.49 | 34.49 | 34.49 | 1 |
| 1990s | 22.21 | 22.21 | 22.21 | 1 |
| 2000s | 9.08 | 9.08 | 9.08 | 1 |
| 2010s | 4.88 | 4.88 | 4.88 | 1 |
| 2020s | 3.26 | 3.26 | 3.26 | 1 |
Countries ranked near China
More population data for China
- Population regions 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 long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.66 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -1.19 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 1.31 million Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.1671 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3489 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -1.68 (2100)
- Population density 67.46 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 15.54 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in China?
- Literate and illiterate world population in China was 3.26 in 2020, according to 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 3.26 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 Our World in Data, published as part of Literate and illiterate world population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 6 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).