Literate and illiterate world population in South Africa
South Africa: Literate and illiterate world population was 8.85 in 2024. β Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in South Africa, 1950β2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 8.85 for literate and illiterate world population in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 11.5% on the previous year and up 51.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in South Africa peaked at 57.5 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 4.98, in 2019.
That places South Africa 58th 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.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 57.5 | 57.5 | 57.5 | 1 |
| 1980s | 23.8 | 23.8 | 23.8 | 1 |
| 1990s | 17.6 | 17.6 | 17.6 | 1 |
| 2000s | 9.2 | 7.11 | 11.28 | 2 |
| 2010s | 6.43 | 4.98 | 8.26 | 7 |
| 2020s | 9.43 | 8.85 | 10 | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More population data for South Africa
- Population growth rate by level of development 0.23 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 5.55 million (2100)
- Population density 77.75 (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.23 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.0148 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8824 Percent per annum (2030)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 73,530 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 0.8825 % change on previous year (2030)
- Fertility and wanted fertility 2.21 (2024)
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum 71,171 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in South Africa?
- Literate and illiterate world population in South Africa was 8.85 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest literate and illiterate world population recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 57.5 in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.98 in 2019.
- How does South Africa rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- South Africa ranks 58th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 51.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from 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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CSV Β· JSON β 14 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).