Literate and illiterate world population in Mexico
Mexico: Literate and illiterate world population was 4.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Mexico, 1900–2024
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, literate and illiterate world population in Mexico stood at 4.5%.
The figure is up 6.8% on the previous year and down 18.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Mexico peaked at 77.7% in 1900 and was at its lowest, 4.2%, in 2023.
Mexico ranks 77th 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.
Literate and illiterate world population in Mexico, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 77.7% | — |
| 1910 | 72.3% | -6.9% |
| 1921 | 66.2% | -8.4% |
| 1930 | 61.5% | -7.1% |
| 1940 | 54.0% | -12.2% |
| 1950 | 37.5% | -30.6% |
| 1980 | 17.0% | -54.6% |
| 1990 | 12.4% | -26.9% |
| 2000 | 9.5% | -24.0% |
| 2002 | 9.7% | +2.9% |
| 2004 | 9.1% | -7.0% |
| 2005 | 8.4% | -7.5% |
| 2006 | 8.3% | -1.2% |
| 2007 | 7.2% | -12.9% |
| 2008 | 7.1% | -1.8% |
| 2009 | 6.6% | -7.2% |
| 2010 | 6.9% | +5.6% |
| 2011 | 6.5% | -6.5% |
| 2012 | 5.8% | -11.0% |
| 2013 | 6.0% | +4.7% |
| 2014 | 5.4% | -9.9% |
| 2015 | 5.5% | +1.7% |
| 2016 | 5.1% | -7.1% |
| 2017 | 5.0% | -2.1% |
| 2018 | 4.6% | -8.2% |
| 2019 | 4.6% | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 4.8% | +3.0% |
| 2021 | 4.3% | -9.2% |
| 2022 | 4.9% | +13.2% |
| 2023 | 4.2% | -14.6% |
| 2024 | 4.5% | +6.8% |
Mexico compared with similar countries
- Mexico's 4.5% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.6%, 98% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Mexico's 4.5% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 5.6%, 79% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 77.7% | 77.7% | 77.7% | 1 |
| 1910s | 72.3% | 72.3% | 72.3% | 1 |
| 1920s | 66.2% | 66.2% | 66.2% | 1 |
| 1930s | 61.5% | 61.5% | 61.5% | 1 |
| 1940s | 54.0% | 54.0% | 54.0% | 1 |
| 1950s | 37.5% | 37.5% | 37.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 17.0% | 17.0% | 17.0% | 1 |
| 1990s | 12.4% | 12.4% | 12.4% | 1 |
| 2000s | 8.2% | 6.6% | 9.7% | 8 |
| 2010s | 5.6% | 4.6% | 6.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.5% | 4.2% | 4.9% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Mexico
More population data for Mexico
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.7936 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.5786 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -4.1 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.5786 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.6% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.55 million people (2100)
- Population density 67 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.6% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.7222 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.6019 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Mexico?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Mexico was 4.5% 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 Mexico?
- The highest recorded value was 77.7% in 1900.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Mexico?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.2% in 2023.
- How does Mexico rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Mexico ranks 77th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Mexico?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Mexico 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.