Literate and illiterate world population in Pakistan
Pakistan: Literate and illiterate world population was 41.1% in 2021. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in Pakistan, 1950–2021
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Pakistan recorded 41.1% for literate and illiterate world population in 2021.
That represents a change of down 2.0% on the previous year and down 9.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Pakistan peaked at 82.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 40.9%, in 2017.
That places Pakistan 13th out of 128 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 17 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 82.5% | 82.5% | 82.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 74.3% | 74.3% | 74.3% | 1 |
| 1990s | 57.3% | 57.3% | 57.3% | 1 |
| 2000s | 46.7% | 44.5% | 50.1% | 5 |
| 2010s | 43.3% | 40.9% | 45.3% | 8 |
| 2020s | 41.1% | 41.1% | 41.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
More population data for Pakistan
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Population density 662.88 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 32.24 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 3.55 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 3.55 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 1.56 million people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 3.55 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 3.6 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 3.35 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Pakistan?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Pakistan was 41.1% in 2021, 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 Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 82.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 40.9% in 2017.
- How does Pakistan rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Pakistan ranks 13th out of 128 countries with data for 2021.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Pakistan 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.