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
Latest (2023)
31.5
Change on year
down 8.2%
World rank
21st
of 128 countries
All-time high
62.5
in 1950
All-time low
22.96
in 2016
Years of data
7
1950–2023
Literate and illiterate world population in Democratic Republic of Congo, 1950–2023
Source: Our World in Data.
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, 22.96, 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 | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 62.5 | — |
| 2001 | 32.83 | -47.5% |
| 2012 | 24.98 | -23.9% |
| 2016 | 22.96 | -8.1% |
| 2018 | 26.45 | +15.2% |
| 2020 | 34.32 | +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 38.94, 81% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 31.5 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 29.13, 1.1× the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 62.5 | 62.5 | 62.5 | 1 |
| 2000s | 32.83 | 32.83 | 32.83 | 1 |
| 2010s | 24.8 | 22.96 | 26.45 | 3 |
| 2020s | 32.91 | 31.5 | 34.32 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of Congo
More population data for Democratic Republic of Congo
- Population regions 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 long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.6699 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.6537 % change on previous year (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1964 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.658 (2100)
- Population density 189.99 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 33.44 million (2100)
- Population growth rate by level of development 0.658 (2100)
- Urbanization vs gdp, annual growth rate 0.8224 % change on previous year (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 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 22.96 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 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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