Literate and illiterate world population in Laos
Laos: Literate and illiterate world population was 24.4% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
24.4%
World rank
34th
of 128 countries
All-time high
82.5%
in 1950
All-time low
15.3%
in 2015
Years of data
8
1950–2023
Literate and illiterate world population in Laos, 1950–2023
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Laos recorded 24.4% for literate and illiterate world population in 2023.
That represents a change of up 58.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Laos peaked at 82.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 15.3%, in 2015.
Laos ranks 34th of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 82.5% | 82.5% | 82.5% | 1 |
| 1990s | 39.8% | 39.8% | 39.8% | 1 |
| 2000s | 29.7% | 27.3% | 31.3% | 3 |
| 2010s | 20.8% | 15.3% | 26.3% | 2 |
| 2020s | 24.4% | 24.4% | 24.4% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Laos
More population data for Laos
- World population growth -0.5% (2100)
- Population density 40.11 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 438,726 people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.5% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 2.4 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 2.4 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 80 people (1987)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 2.4 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 2.42 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 2.3 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Laos?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Laos was 24.4% 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 Laos?
- The highest recorded value was 82.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.3% in 2015.
- How does Laos rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Laos ranks 34th out of 128 countries with data for 2023.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is up 58.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Laos 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
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About this data
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.