Literate and illiterate world population in Peru
Peru: Literate and illiterate world population was 6.3% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Peru, 1950–2024
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 Peru stood at 6.3%.
That represents a change of up 0.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Peru peaked at 52.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 5.5%, in 2020.
That places Peru 66th 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 Peru, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 52.5% | — |
| 1981 | 18.1% | -65.6% |
| 1993 | 12.8% | -28.9% |
| 2004 | 12.3% | -4.0% |
| 2005 | 12.1% | -1.9% |
| 2006 | 11.3% | -6.5% |
| 2007 | 10.4% | -7.9% |
| 2012 | 6.2% | -40.8% |
| 2014 | 6.3% | +2.1% |
| 2015 | 5.8% | -7.2% |
| 2016 | 5.8% | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 5.8% | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 5.6% | -4.4% |
| 2020 | 5.5% | -1.6% |
| 2024 | 6.3% | +15.3% |
Peru compared with similar countries
- Peru's 6.3% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.6%, 1.4× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Peru's 6.3% is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 5.6%, 1.1× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Literate and illiterate world population in Peru changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | -65.6% | 52.5% | 18.1% |
| 2012 | -40.8% | 10.4% | 6.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 52.5% | 52.5% | 52.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 18.1% | 18.1% | 18.1% | 1 |
| 1990s | 12.8% | 12.8% | 12.8% | 1 |
| 2000s | 11.5% | 10.4% | 12.3% | 4 |
| 2010s | 5.9% | 5.6% | 6.3% | 6 |
| 2020s | 5.9% | 5.5% | 6.3% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Peru
More population data for Peru
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.3151 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.4349 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.0396 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.4349 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.66 million people (2100)
- Population density 29.82 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.4% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6906 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.9219 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Peru?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Peru was 6.3% 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 Peru?
- The highest recorded value was 52.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Peru?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.5% in 2020.
- How does Peru rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Peru ranks 66th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Peru?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Peru 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.