Literate and illiterate world population in Panama
Panama: Literate and illiterate world population was 3.8% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Panama, 1950–2024
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 Panama is 3.8%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 10 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.5% on the previous year and down 36.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Panama peaked at 32.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 3.8%, in 2024.
That places Panama 82nd out of 128 countries with data for 2024, putting it 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 Panama, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 32.5% | — |
| 1980 | 11.9% | -63.3% |
| 1990 | 11.2% | -6.0% |
| 2000 | 8.1% | -27.8% |
| 2010 | 5.9% | -27.0% |
| 2018 | 4.6% | -22.3% |
| 2019 | 4.3% | -7.2% |
| 2021 | 3.8% | -11.1% |
| 2023 | 3.9% | +3.2% |
| 2024 | 3.8% | -3.5% |
Panama compared with similar countries
- Panama's 3.8% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.2%, 1.7× the median. (33 countries reporting)
- Panama's 3.8% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 5.6%, 67% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 32.5% | 32.5% | 32.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 11.9% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 1 |
| 1990s | 11.2% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 1 |
| 2000s | 8.1% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 1 |
| 2010s | 4.9% | 4.3% | 5.9% | 3 |
| 2020s | 3.8% | 3.8% | 3.9% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Panama
More population data for Panama
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1369 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.192 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.53 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.192 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 267,694 people (2100)
- Population density 79.6 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4333 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.11 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Panama?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Panama was 3.8% 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 Panama?
- The highest recorded value was 32.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Panama?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.8% in 2024.
- How does Panama rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Panama ranks 82nd out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Panama?
- Over the last ten years it is down 36.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Panama 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
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About this data
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.