Literate and illiterate world population in Philippines
Philippines: Literate and illiterate world population was 1.5% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Philippines, 1918–2020
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Philippines recorded 1.5% for literate and illiterate world population in 2020. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 58.9% on the previous year and down 47.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Philippines peaked at 51.2% in 1939 and was at its lowest, 1.5%, in 2020.
Philippines ranks 104th of 128 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Literate and illiterate world population in Philippines, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1918 | 50.8% | — |
| 1939 | 51.2% | +0.8% |
| 1948 | 38.7% | -24.4% |
| 1950 | 37.5% | -3.1% |
| 1980 | 16.7% | -55.5% |
| 1990 | 6.4% | -61.5% |
| 1994 | 6.1% | -5.4% |
| 2000 | 7.4% | +21.7% |
| 2003 | 7.4% | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 4.6% | -38.2% |
| 2010 | 2.9% | -36.5% |
| 2013 | 3.6% | +23.7% |
| 2015 | 1.8% | -49.4% |
| 2019 | 3.7% | +104.4% |
| 2020 | 1.5% | -58.9% |
Philippines compared with similar countries
- Philippines's 1.5% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.6%, 34% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Philippines's 1.5% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.0%, 39% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 50.8% | 50.8% | 50.8% | 1 |
| 1930s | 51.2% | 51.2% | 51.2% | 1 |
| 1940s | 38.7% | 38.7% | 38.7% | 1 |
| 1950s | 37.5% | 37.5% | 37.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 16.7% | 16.7% | 16.7% | 1 |
| 1990s | 6.3% | 6.1% | 6.4% | 2 |
| 2000s | 6.5% | 4.6% | 7.4% | 3 |
| 2010s | 3.0% | 1.8% | 3.7% | 4 |
| 2020s | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Philippines
More population data for Philippines
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.0898 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.6532 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.167 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.6532 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.7% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.22 million people (2100)
- Population density 383.08 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.7% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6047 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.32 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Philippines?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Philippines was 1.5% in 2020, 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 Philippines?
- The highest recorded value was 51.2% in 1939.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Philippines?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.5% in 2020.
- How does Philippines rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Philippines ranks 104th out of 128 countries with data for 2020.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Philippines?
- Over the last ten years it is down 47.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Philippines 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.