Literate and illiterate world population in Iran
Iran: Literate and illiterate world population was 11.1% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Iran, 1950–2023
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 Iran is 11.1%, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 24 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.8% on the previous year and down 27.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Iran peaked at 87.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 11.1%, in 2023.
Iran ranks 53rd of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 87.5% | 87.5% | 87.5% | 1 |
| 1970s | 63.5% | 63.5% | 63.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 47.7% | 47.7% | 47.7% | 1 |
| 1990s | 30.7% | 26.9% | 34.5% | 2 |
| 2000s | 18.4% | 16.8% | 23.0% | 5 |
| 2010s | 14.9% | 12.6% | 16.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.5% | 11.1% | 12.1% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More population data for Iran
- World population growth -0.7% (2100)
- Population density 49.33 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.09 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.7% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.68 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.68 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 3.49 million people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.68 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 1.7 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 1.66 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Iran?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Iran was 11.1% 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 Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 87.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.1% in 2023.
- How does Iran rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Iran ranks 53rd out of 128 countries with data for 2023.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iran 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.