Literate and illiterate world population in Lesotho
Lesotho: Literate and illiterate world population was 9.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Lesotho, 1950–2024
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 Lesotho is 9.6%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 249.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Lesotho peaked at 47.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 2.7%, in 2016.
That places Lesotho 55th out of 128 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Literate and illiterate world population in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 47.5% | — |
| 2000 | 13.8% | -71.1% |
| 2006 | 33.9% | +146.5% |
| 2016 | 2.7% | -91.9% |
| 2018 | 13.8% | +404.0% |
| 2019 | 7.6% | -44.7% |
| 2024 | 9.6% | +25.6% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 9.6% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 21.8%, 44% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 9.6% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 29.1%, 33% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 47.5% | 47.5% | 47.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 23.8% | 13.8% | 33.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 8.0% | 2.7% | 13.8% | 3 |
| 2020s | 9.6% | 9.6% | 9.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 52 Cape Verde 11.5% compare
- 53 Iran 11.1% compare
- 54 El Salvador 10.2% compare
- 56 Eswatini 9.2% compare
- 57 Thailand 8.9% compare
- 58 South Africa 8.8% compare
More population data for Lesotho
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.3315 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1905 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.14 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1905 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 190,191 people (2100)
- Population density 107.36 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6353 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, per capita 0.5533 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Lesotho?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Lesotho was 9.6% in 2024, 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 Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 47.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.7% in 2016.
- How does Lesotho rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Lesotho ranks 55th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 249.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho 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.