Literate and illiterate world population in Malta

Malta: Literate and illiterate world population was 6.7% in 2011. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2011)
6.7%
World rank
63rd
of 128 countries
All-time high
42.5%
in 1950
All-time low
6.7%
in 2011
Years of data
5
1950–2011

Literate and illiterate world population in Malta, 1950–2011

102030401950198020111950: 42.5 %1985: 13.1 %1995: 12.1 %2005: 7.6 %2011: 6.7 %

Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

In 2011, literate and illiterate world population in Malta stood at 6.7%. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.

The figure is down 12.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Malta peaked at 42.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 6.7%, in 2011.

That places Malta 63rd out of 128 countries with data for 2011, putting it in the middle of the range.

Literate and illiterate world population in Malta, year by year

Annual values for Literate and illiterate world population in Malta, 1950 to 2011.
Year % Change
1950 42.5%
1985 13.1% -69.2%
1995 12.1% -7.2%
2005 7.6% -37.0%
2011 6.7% -12.4%

Malta compared with similar countries

  • Malta's 6.7% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.2%, 3.1× the median. (33 countries reporting)
  • Malta's 6.7% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 6.7%, 1.0× the median. (19 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1950s 42.5% 42.5% 42.5% 1
1980s 13.1% 13.1% 13.1% 1
1990s 12.1% 12.1% 12.1% 1
2000s 7.6% 7.6% 7.6% 1
2010s 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 1

Countries ranked near Malta

  1. 60 Puerto Rico 7.6% compare
  2. 61 Sri Lanka 7.3% compare
  3. 62 Suriname 7.1% compare
  4. 64 Ecuador 6.5% compare
  5. 65 Myanmar 6.5% compare
  6. 66 Peru 6.3% compare

See the full ranking of 128 places →

More population data for Malta

All data for Malta →

Frequently asked questions

What is literate and illiterate world population in Malta?
Literate and illiterate world population in Malta was 6.7% in 2011, 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 Malta?
The highest recorded value was 42.5% in 1950.
What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Malta?
The lowest recorded value was 6.7% in 2011.
How does Malta rank for literate and illiterate world population?
Malta ranks 63rd out of 128 countries with data for 2011.
Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Malta?
Over the last ten years it is down 12.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Malta 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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Literate and illiterate world population in Malta. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Retrieved 23 September 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/literate-and-illiterate-world-population/malta/

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About this data

Indicator
Literate and illiterate world population
Unit
%
Source
UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
128 places, 1,272 data points, 1475–2024
Last refreshed

Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.