Literate and illiterate world population in Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo: Literate and illiterate world population was 31.5% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in Democratic Republic of Congo, 1950–2023
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Democratic Republic of Congo recorded 31.5% for literate and illiterate world population in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.2% on the previous year and up 26.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Democratic Republic of Congo peaked at 62.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 23.0%, in 2016.
Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 21st of 128 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Literate and illiterate world population in Democratic Republic of Congo, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 62.5% | — |
| 2001 | 32.8% | -47.5% |
| 2012 | 25.0% | -23.9% |
| 2016 | 23.0% | -8.1% |
| 2018 | 26.4% | +15.2% |
| 2020 | 34.3% | +29.7% |
| 2023 | 31.5% | -8.2% |
Democratic Republic of Congo compared with similar countries
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 31.5% is below the median for low income countries, which is 38.9%, 81% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 31.5% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 29.1%, 1.1× the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 62.5% | 62.5% | 62.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 32.8% | 32.8% | 32.8% | 1 |
| 2010s | 24.8% | 23.0% | 26.4% | 3 |
| 2020s | 32.9% | 31.5% | 34.3% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of Congo
More population data for Democratic Republic of Congo
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.6537 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.6699 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 1.57 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.6699 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.7% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 33.44 million people (2100)
- Population density 189.99 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.7% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1964 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, per capita 0.5489 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Democratic Republic of Congo was 31.5% in 2023, 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 Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 62.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 23.0% in 2016.
- How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 21st out of 128 countries with data for 2023.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo 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.