Literate and illiterate world population in Colombia
Colombia: Literate and illiterate world population was 4.7% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Colombia, 1918–2024
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Colombia recorded 4.7% for literate and illiterate world population in 2024.
The figure is up 2.6% on the previous year and down 19.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Colombia peaked at 57.6% in 1918 and was at its lowest, 4.3%, in 2021.
That places Colombia 76th out of 128 countries with data for 2024, putting it 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 57.6% | 57.6% | 57.6% | 1 |
| 1920s | 48.4% | 48.4% | 48.4% | 1 |
| 1930s | 44.2% | 44.2% | 44.2% | 1 |
| 1950s | 47.5% | 47.5% | 47.5% | 1 |
| 1990s | 8.9% | 8.8% | 8.9% | 2 |
| 2000s | 7.1% | 6.6% | 7.7% | 6 |
| 2010s | 5.6% | 4.8% | 6.6% | 8 |
| 2020s | 4.5% | 4.3% | 4.7% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Colombia
More population data for Colombia
- World population growth -0.7% (2100)
- Population density 42.43 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.83 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.7% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.63 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.63 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 1,306 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.63 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 1.65 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 1.61 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Colombia?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Colombia was 4.7% 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 Colombia?
- The highest recorded value was 57.6% in 1918.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Colombia?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.3% in 2021.
- How does Colombia rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Colombia ranks 76th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Colombia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Colombia 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.