Literate and illiterate world population in France
France: Literate and illiterate world population was 3.5% in 1950. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in France, 1475–1950
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
France recorded 3.5% for literate and illiterate world population in 1950.
The figure is down 12.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in France peaked at 94.0% in 1475 and was at its lowest, 3.4%, in 1946.
That places France 85th out of 128 countries with data for 1950, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Literate and illiterate world population in France, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1475 | 94.0% | — |
| 1550 | 81.0% | -13.8% |
| 1650 | 71.0% | -12.3% |
| 1750 | 71.0% | +0.0% |
| 1901 | 16.5% | -76.8% |
| 1906 | 14.1% | -14.5% |
| 1911 | 11.9% | -15.6% |
| 1921 | 8.2% | -31.1% |
| 1926 | 6.1% | -25.6% |
| 1931 | 5.3% | -13.1% |
| 1936 | 4.0% | -24.5% |
| 1946 | 3.4% | -15.0% |
| 1950 | 3.5% | +2.9% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 3.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.2%, 1.6× the median. (33 countries reporting)
- France's 3.5% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1.5%, 2.3× the median. (25 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Literate and illiterate world population in France changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | -76.8% | 71.0% | 16.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1470s | 94.0% | 94.0% | 94.0% | 1 |
| 1550s | 81.0% | 81.0% | 81.0% | 1 |
| 1650s | 71.0% | 71.0% | 71.0% | 1 |
| 1750s | 71.0% | 71.0% | 71.0% | 1 |
| 1900s | 15.3% | 14.1% | 16.5% | 2 |
| 1910s | 11.9% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 1 |
| 1920s | 7.1% | 6.1% | 8.2% | 2 |
| 1930s | 4.7% | 4.0% | 5.3% | 2 |
| 1940s | 3.4% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 1 |
| 1950s | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near France
More population data for France
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1885 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.028 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.58 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.028 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.0% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.16 million people (2100)
- Population density 125.07 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.0% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.1075 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.1504 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in France?
- Literate and illiterate world population in France was 3.5% in 1950, 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 France?
- The highest recorded value was 94.0% in 1475.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.4% in 1946.
- How does France rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- France ranks 85th out of 128 countries with data for 1950.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this France 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.