Literate and illiterate world population in Madagascar
Madagascar: Literate and illiterate world population was 25.3% in 2021. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in Madagascar, 1950–2021
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2021, literate and illiterate world population in Madagascar stood at 25.3%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.5% on the previous year and down 11.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Madagascar peaked at 67.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 23.3%, in 2018.
That places Madagascar 31st out of 128 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
Literate and illiterate world population in Madagascar, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 67.5% | — |
| 2000 | 29.3% | -56.6% |
| 2012 | 28.4% | -3.0% |
| 2018 | 23.3% | -18.0% |
| 2021 | 25.3% | +8.5% |
Madagascar compared with similar countries
- Madagascar's 25.3% is below the median for low income countries, which is 38.9%, 65% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Madagascar's 25.3% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 29.1%, 87% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 67.5% | 67.5% | 67.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 29.3% | 29.3% | 29.3% | 1 |
| 2010s | 25.9% | 23.3% | 28.4% | 2 |
| 2020s | 25.3% | 25.3% | 25.3% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Madagascar
More population data for Madagascar
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.463 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.445 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.153 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.445 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 6.06 million people (2100)
- Population density 146.69 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.4% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2896 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, per capita 0.671 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Madagascar?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Madagascar was 25.3% in 2021, 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 Madagascar?
- The highest recorded value was 67.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Madagascar?
- The lowest recorded value was 23.3% in 2018.
- How does Madagascar rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Madagascar ranks 31st out of 128 countries with data for 2021.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Madagascar?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Madagascar 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.