Literate and illiterate world population in Portugal
Portugal: Literate and illiterate world population was 5.5% in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Portugal, 1900–2011
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 Portugal is 5.5%, measured in 2011. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Portugal peaked at 73.4% in 1900 and was at its lowest, 5.5%, in 2011.
That places Portugal 73rd out of 128 countries with data for 2011, putting it in the middle of the range.
Literate and illiterate world population in Portugal, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 73.4% | — |
| 1911 | 68.9% | -6.1% |
| 1920 | 65.2% | -5.4% |
| 1930 | 60.2% | -7.7% |
| 1940 | 50.4% | -16.3% |
| 1950 | 42.5% | -15.7% |
| 1981 | 20.6% | -51.6% |
| 1991 | 12.1% | -41.4% |
| 2011 | 5.5% | -54.2% |
Portugal compared with similar countries
- Portugal's 5.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.2%, 2.5× the median. (33 countries reporting)
- Portugal's 5.5% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1.5%, 3.7× the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 73.4% | 73.4% | 73.4% | 1 |
| 1910s | 68.9% | 68.9% | 68.9% | 1 |
| 1920s | 65.2% | 65.2% | 65.2% | 1 |
| 1930s | 60.2% | 60.2% | 60.2% | 1 |
| 1940s | 50.4% | 50.4% | 50.4% | 1 |
| 1950s | 42.5% | 42.5% | 42.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 20.6% | 20.6% | 20.6% | 1 |
| 1990s | 12.1% | 12.1% | 12.1% | 1 |
| 2010s | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Portugal
More population data for Portugal
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.4941 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.0538 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -4.39 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.0538 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.0% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 396,215 people (2100)
- Population density 95.56 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.0% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.0558 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.2816 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Portugal?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Portugal was 5.5% in 2011, 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 Portugal?
- The highest recorded value was 73.4% in 1900.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Portugal?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.5% in 2011.
- How does Portugal rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Portugal ranks 73rd out of 128 countries with data for 2011.
- Where does this Portugal 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
CSV · JSON — 9 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.