Literate and illiterate world population in Malaysia
Malaysia: Literate and illiterate world population was 4.2% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Malaysia, 1950–2022
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2022, literate and illiterate world population in Malaysia stood at 4.2%. That is the lowest value across all 10 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 15.9% on the previous year and down 38.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Malaysia peaked at 62.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 4.2%, in 2022.
Malaysia ranks 78th of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 62.5% | 62.5% | 62.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 30.5% | 30.5% | 30.5% | 1 |
| 1990s | 17.1% | 17.1% | 17.1% | 1 |
| 2000s | 11.3% | 11.3% | 11.3% | 1 |
| 2010s | 5.4% | 4.9% | 6.9% | 5 |
| 2020s | 4.2% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More population data for Malaysia
- World population growth -0.3% (2100)
- Population density 134 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.91 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.3% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.54 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.54 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 138,417 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.54 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 1.55 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 1.53 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Malaysia?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Malaysia was 4.2% in 2022, 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 Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 62.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.2% in 2022.
- How does Malaysia rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Malaysia ranks 78th out of 128 countries with data for 2022.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 38.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia 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
CSV · JSON — 10 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.