Literate and illiterate world population in Germany

Germany: Literate and illiterate world population was 1.5% in 1950. ◆ Volatile

Latest (1950)
1.5%
World rank
105th
of 128 countries
All-time high
91.0%
in 1475
All-time low
1.5%
in 1950
Years of data
5
1475–1950

Literate and illiterate world population in Germany, 1475–1950

0204060801001475171219501475: 91 %1550: 84 %1650: 69 %1750: 62 %1950: 1.5 %

Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

The most recent figure for literate and illiterate world population in Germany is 1.5%, measured in 1950. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.

Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Germany peaked at 91.0% in 1475 and was at its lowest, 1.5%, in 1950.

That places Germany 105th out of 128 countries with data for 1950, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Literate and illiterate world population in Germany, year by year

Annual values for Literate and illiterate world population in Germany, 1475 to 1950.
Year % Change
1475 91.0%
1550 84.0% -7.7%
1650 69.0% -17.9%
1750 62.0% -10.1%
1950 1.5% -97.6%

Germany compared with similar countries

  • Germany's 1.5% is below the median for high income countries, which is 2.2%, 69% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
  • Germany's 1.5% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1.5%, 1.0× the median. (25 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1470s 91.0% 91.0% 91.0% 1
1550s 84.0% 84.0% 84.0% 1
1650s 69.0% 69.0% 69.0% 1
1750s 62.0% 62.0% 62.0% 1
1950s 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1

Countries ranked near Germany

  1. 102 Maldives 1.8%
  2. 103 Bulgaria 1.6% compare
  3. 104 Philippines 1.5% compare
  4. 105 Finland 1.5% compare
  5. 105 Ireland 1.5% compare
  6. 105 Netherlands 1.5% compare
  7. 105 Sweden 1.5% compare
  8. 105 United Kingdom 1.5% compare

See the full ranking of 128 places →

More population data for Germany

All data for Germany →

Frequently asked questions

What is literate and illiterate world population in Germany?
Literate and illiterate world population in Germany was 1.5% 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 Germany?
The highest recorded value was 91.0% in 1475.
What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Germany?
The lowest recorded value was 1.5% in 1950.
How does Germany rank for literate and illiterate world population?
Germany ranks 105th out of 128 countries with data for 1950.
Where does this Germany 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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Literate and illiterate world population in Germany. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Retrieved 23 September 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/literate-and-illiterate-world-population/germany/

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About this data

Indicator
Literate and illiterate world population
Unit
%
Source
UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
128 places, 1,272 data points, 1475–2024
Last refreshed

Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.