Literate and illiterate world population in Kuwait
Kuwait: Literate and illiterate world population was 3.5% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Kuwait, 1950–2020
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 Kuwait is 3.5%, measured in 2020. That is the lowest value across all 16 years on record.
That represents a change of down 10.2% on the previous year and down 36.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Kuwait peaked at 82.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 3.5%, in 2020.
That places Kuwait 84th out of 128 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Literate and illiterate world population in Kuwait, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 82.5% | — |
| 1975 | 40.4% | -51.0% |
| 1980 | 32.5% | -19.7% |
| 1985 | 25.5% | -21.5% |
| 1995 | 21.6% | -15.3% |
| 2005 | 6.7% | -68.8% |
| 2006 | 6.7% | -0.1% |
| 2007 | 6.3% | -5.7% |
| 2008 | 6.1% | -3.8% |
| 2010 | 5.5% | -9.3% |
| 2012 | 4.5% | -18.8% |
| 2013 | 4.4% | -1.8% |
| 2015 | 4.3% | -2.3% |
| 2017 | 4.0% | -8.1% |
| 2018 | 3.9% | -0.5% |
| 2020 | 3.5% | -10.2% |
Kuwait compared with similar countries
- Kuwait's 3.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.2%, 1.6× the median. (33 countries reporting)
- Kuwait's 3.5% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 6.7%, 53% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 82.5% | 82.5% | 82.5% | 1 |
| 1970s | 40.4% | 40.4% | 40.4% | 1 |
| 1980s | 29.0% | 25.5% | 32.5% | 2 |
| 1990s | 21.6% | 21.6% | 21.6% | 1 |
| 2000s | 6.5% | 6.1% | 6.7% | 4 |
| 2010s | 4.4% | 3.9% | 5.5% | 6 |
| 2020s | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Kuwait
More population data for Kuwait
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.0278 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.801 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2043)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.801 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.8% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 563,011 people (2100)
- Population density 538.83 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.8% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.9514 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.7699 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Kuwait?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Kuwait was 3.5% in 2020, 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 Kuwait?
- The highest recorded value was 82.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Kuwait?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.5% in 2020.
- How does Kuwait rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Kuwait ranks 84th out of 128 countries with data for 2020.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Kuwait?
- Over the last ten years it is down 36.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kuwait 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.