Literate and illiterate world population in Namibia
Namibia: Literate and illiterate world population was 12.4% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in Namibia, 1991–2023
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 Namibia is 12.4%, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 5.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Namibia peaked at 24.2% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 11.7%, in 2018.
That places Namibia 48th out of 128 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
Literate and illiterate world population in Namibia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 24.2% | — |
| 2001 | 15.1% | -37.7% |
| 2011 | 11.7% | -22.1% |
| 2016 | 11.9% | +1.2% |
| 2018 | 11.7% | -1.3% |
| 2023 | 12.4% | +5.5% |
Namibia compared with similar countries
- Namibia's 12.4% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 21.8%, 57% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Namibia's 12.4% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 29.1%, 42% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 24.2% | 24.2% | 24.2% | 1 |
| 2000s | 15.1% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 1 |
| 2010s | 11.8% | 11.7% | 11.9% | 3 |
| 2020s | 12.4% | 12.4% | 12.4% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Namibia
More population data for Namibia
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1475 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.6736 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.1% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 357,079 people (2100)
- Population density 7.16 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.1% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4525 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.52 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Namibia?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Namibia was 12.4% in 2023, 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 Namibia?
- The highest recorded value was 24.2% in 1991.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Namibia?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.7% in 2018.
- How does Namibia rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Namibia ranks 48th out of 128 countries with data for 2023.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Namibia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Namibia 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 — 6 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.