Literate and illiterate world population in Ireland

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

Latest (1950)
1.5%
World rank
105th
of 128 countries
All-time high
100.0%
in 1475
All-time low
1.5%
in 1950
Years of data
5
1475–1950

Literate and illiterate world population in Ireland, 1475–1950

0204060801001475171219501475: 100 %1550: 100 %1650: 97 %1750: 79 %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 Ireland 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 Ireland peaked at 100.0% in 1475 and was at its lowest, 1.5%, in 1950.

Ireland ranks 105th of 128 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Literate and illiterate world population in Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Literate and illiterate world population in Ireland, 1475 to 1950.
Year % Change
1475 100.0%
1550 100.0% +0.0%
1650 97.0% -3.0%
1750 79.0% -18.6%
1950 1.5% -98.1%

Ireland compared with similar countries

  • Ireland's 1.5% is below the median for high income countries, which is 2.2%, 69% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
  • Ireland'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 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 1
1550s 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 1
1650s 97.0% 97.0% 97.0% 1
1750s 79.0% 79.0% 79.0% 1
1950s 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1

Countries ranked near Ireland

  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 Germany 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 Ireland

All data for Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is literate and illiterate world population in Ireland?
Literate and illiterate world population in Ireland 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 Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 100.0% in 1475.
What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 1.5% in 1950.
How does Ireland rank for literate and illiterate world population?
Ireland ranks 105th out of 128 countries with data for 1950.
Where does this Ireland 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 Ireland. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Retrieved 24 September 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/literate-and-illiterate-world-population/ireland/

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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.