Literate and illiterate world population in Spain
Spain: Literate and illiterate world population was 0.3% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Spain, 1475–2021
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 Spain is 0.3%, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 27 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 78.7% on the previous year and down 86.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Spain peaked at 97.0% in 1475 and was at its lowest, 0.3%, in 2021.
Spain ranks 124th 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 Spain, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1475 | 97.0% | — |
| 1550 | 96.0% | -1.0% |
| 1650 | 95.0% | -1.0% |
| 1750 | 92.0% | -3.2% |
| 1900 | 58.7% | -36.2% |
| 1910 | 52.2% | -11.1% |
| 1920 | 44.0% | -15.7% |
| 1940 | 23.2% | -47.3% |
| 1950 | 17.5% | -24.6% |
| 1981 | 7.2% | -58.9% |
| 1991 | 3.5% | -51.2% |
| 2004 | 2.8% | -19.4% |
| 2005 | 2.2% | -20.5% |
| 2006 | 2.2% | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 2.1% | -8.4% |
| 2008 | 2.4% | +15.0% |
| 2009 | 2.3% | -2.1% |
| 2010 | 2.2% | -3.0% |
| 2011 | 2.2% | -1.3% |
| 2012 | 2.1% | -5.0% |
| 2013 | 1.9% | -9.0% |
| 2014 | 1.9% | -0.5% |
| 2015 | 1.9% | -2.6% |
| 2016 | 1.8% | -5.9% |
| 2018 | 1.6% | -10.9% |
| 2020 | 1.4% | -9.6% |
| 2021 | 0.3% | -78.7% |
Spain compared with similar countries
- Spain's 0.3% is below the median for high income countries, which is 2.2%, 14% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
- Spain's 0.3% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1.5%, 20% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Literate and illiterate world population in Spain 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | -78.7% | 1.4% | 0.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1470s | 97.0% | 97.0% | 97.0% | 1 |
| 1550s | 96.0% | 96.0% | 96.0% | 1 |
| 1650s | 95.0% | 95.0% | 95.0% | 1 |
| 1750s | 92.0% | 92.0% | 92.0% | 1 |
| 1900s | 58.7% | 58.7% | 58.7% | 1 |
| 1910s | 52.2% | 52.2% | 52.2% | 1 |
| 1920s | 44.0% | 44.0% | 44.0% | 1 |
| 1940s | 23.2% | 23.2% | 23.2% | 1 |
| 1950s | 17.5% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 7.2% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 1 |
| 1990s | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 2.3% | 2.1% | 2.8% | 6 |
| 2010s | 1.9% | 1.6% | 2.2% | 8 |
| 2020s | 0.9% | 0.3% | 1.4% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Spain
More population data for Spain
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.6358 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.527 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -4.98 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.527 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.5% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.24 million people (2100)
- Population density 66.29 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.5% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2658 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.1636 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Spain?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Spain was 0.3% in 2021, 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 Spain?
- The highest recorded value was 97.0% in 1475.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Spain?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.3% in 2021.
- How does Spain rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Spain ranks 124th out of 128 countries with data for 2021.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Spain?
- Over the last ten years it is down 86.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Spain 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.