Literate and illiterate world population in Malawi
Malawi: Literate and illiterate world population was 29.9% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Malawi, 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 Malawi is 29.9%, measured in 2020.
The figure is up 28.2% on the previous year and up 9.9% over five years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Malawi peaked at 92.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 23.3%, in 2018.
That places Malawi 24th out of 128 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the top quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 92.5% | 92.5% | 92.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 51.5% | 51.5% | 51.5% | 1 |
| 1990s | 35.9% | 35.9% | 35.9% | 1 |
| 2010s | 25.2% | 23.3% | 27.2% | 2 |
| 2020s | 29.9% | 29.9% | 29.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More population data for Malawi
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.85 million people (2100)
- Population density 627.29 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.4% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 3.59 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 35,510 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 3.59 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 3.59 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 2.6% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 3.65 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Malawi?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Malawi was 29.9% 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 Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 92.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 23.3% in 2018.
- How does Malawi rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Malawi ranks 24th out of 128 countries with data for 2020.
- Where does this Malawi 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.