Literate and illiterate world population in Italy
Italy: Literate and illiterate world population was 0.7% in 2019. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Italy, 1475–2019
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Italy recorded 0.7% for literate and illiterate world population in 2019. That is the lowest value across all 13 years on record.
That represents a change of down 43.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Italy peaked at 85.0% in 1475 and was at its lowest, 0.7%, in 2019.
Italy ranks 121st of 128 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Literate and illiterate world population in Italy, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1475 | 85.0% | — |
| 1550 | 82.0% | -3.5% |
| 1650 | 77.0% | -6.1% |
| 1750 | 77.0% | +0.0% |
| 1901 | 48.2% | -37.4% |
| 1911 | 37.2% | -22.8% |
| 1921 | 26.8% | -28.0% |
| 1931 | 21.6% | -19.4% |
| 1950 | 12.5% | -42.1% |
| 1981 | 3.5% | -71.7% |
| 2001 | 1.6% | -55.4% |
| 2011 | 1.1% | -27.2% |
| 2019 | 0.7% | -43.5% |
Italy compared with similar countries
- Italy's 0.7% is below the median for high income countries, which is 2.2%, 30% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
- Italy's 0.7% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1.5%, 43% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1470s | 85.0% | 85.0% | 85.0% | 1 |
| 1550s | 82.0% | 82.0% | 82.0% | 1 |
| 1650s | 77.0% | 77.0% | 77.0% | 1 |
| 1750s | 77.0% | 77.0% | 77.0% | 1 |
| 1900s | 48.2% | 48.2% | 48.2% | 1 |
| 1910s | 37.2% | 37.2% | 37.2% | 1 |
| 1920s | 26.8% | 26.8% | 26.8% | 1 |
| 1930s | 21.6% | 21.6% | 21.6% | 1 |
| 1950s | 12.5% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1 |
| 2010s | 0.9% | 0.7% | 1.1% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Italy
More population data for Italy
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.5615 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.6708 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.7397 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.6708 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.7% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.26 million people (2100)
- Population density 119.63 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.7% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3246 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.3544 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Italy?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Italy was 0.7% in 2019, 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 Italy?
- The highest recorded value was 85.0% in 1475.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Italy?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.7% in 2019.
- How does Italy rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Italy ranks 121st out of 128 countries with data for 2019.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Italy?
- Over the last ten years it is down 43.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Italy 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.