Literate and illiterate world population in Ghana
Ghana: Literate and illiterate world population was 23.5% in 2021. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in Ghana, 1950–2021
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2021, literate and illiterate world population in Ghana stood at 23.5%. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of down 17.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Ghana peaked at 77.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 23.5%, in 2021.
Ghana ranks 35th of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Literate and illiterate world population in Ghana, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 77.5% | — |
| 2000 | 42.1% | -45.7% |
| 2010 | 28.5% | -32.3% |
| 2015 | 39.8% | +39.7% |
| 2017 | 35.5% | -10.8% |
| 2021 | 23.5% | -33.8% |
Ghana compared with similar countries
- Ghana's 23.5% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 21.8%, 1.1× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Ghana's 23.5% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 29.1%, 81% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 77.5% | 77.5% | 77.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 42.1% | 42.1% | 42.1% | 1 |
| 2010s | 34.6% | 28.5% | 39.8% | 3 |
| 2020s | 23.5% | 23.5% | 23.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
More population data for Ghana
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2469 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1514 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.09 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1514 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.1% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 4.28 million people (2100)
- Population density 296.87 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.1% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5066 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.76 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Ghana?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Ghana was 23.5% in 2021, 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 Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 77.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 23.5% in 2021.
- How does Ghana rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Ghana ranks 35th out of 128 countries with data for 2021.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Ghana 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.