Literate and illiterate world population in Nepal
Nepal: Literate and illiterate world population was 31.3% in 2019. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in Nepal, 1950–2019
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2019, literate and illiterate world population in Nepal stood at 31.3%. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is down 5.6% on the previous year and down 29.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Nepal peaked at 97.0% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 31.3%, in 2019.
Nepal ranks 22nd of 128 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Literate and illiterate world population in Nepal, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 97.0% | — |
| 1981 | 79.4% | -18.1% |
| 1991 | 67.0% | -15.6% |
| 2001 | 51.4% | -23.3% |
| 2008 | 44.4% | -13.5% |
| 2011 | 40.4% | -9.2% |
| 2016 | 34.5% | -14.5% |
| 2017 | 33.1% | -4.0% |
| 2019 | 31.3% | -5.6% |
Nepal compared with similar countries
- Nepal's 31.3% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 21.8%, 1.4× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Nepal's 31.3% is above the median for South Asia, which is 21.4%, 1.5× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 97.0% | 97.0% | 97.0% | 1 |
| 1980s | 79.4% | 79.4% | 79.4% | 1 |
| 1990s | 67.0% | 67.0% | 67.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 47.9% | 44.4% | 51.4% | 2 |
| 2010s | 34.8% | 31.3% | 40.4% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Nepal
More population data for Nepal
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.6271 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.593 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.0333 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.593 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.6% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.41 million people (2100)
- Population density 222.05 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.6% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.8575 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8872 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Nepal?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Nepal was 31.3% in 2019, 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 Nepal?
- The highest recorded value was 97.0% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Nepal?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.3% in 2019.
- How does Nepal rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Nepal ranks 22nd out of 128 countries with data for 2019.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Nepal?
- Over the last ten years it is down 29.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Nepal 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.