Literate and illiterate world population in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Literate and illiterate world population was 7.3% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Sri Lanka, 1901–2024
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 Sri Lanka is 7.3%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 21 years on record.
The figure is down 1.1% on the previous year and down 2.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Sri Lanka peaked at 73.6% in 1901 and was at its lowest, 7.3%, in 2024.
Sri Lanka ranks 61st of 128 countries on this measure, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 73.6% | 73.6% | 73.6% | 1 |
| 1910s | 69.0% | 69.0% | 69.0% | 1 |
| 1920s | 60.1% | 60.1% | 60.1% | 1 |
| 1940s | 42.2% | 42.2% | 42.2% | 1 |
| 1950s | 37.5% | 37.5% | 37.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 13.2% | 13.2% | 13.2% | 1 |
| 2000s | 9.3% | 9.2% | 9.4% | 3 |
| 2010s | 7.9% | 7.4% | 8.8% | 7 |
| 2020s | 7.5% | 7.3% | 7.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More population data for Sri Lanka
- World population growth -0.6% (2100)
- Population density 343.51 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 901,396 people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.6% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.95 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.95 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 232 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.95 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 1.97 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 1.95 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Sri Lanka?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Sri Lanka was 7.3% 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 Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 73.6% in 1901.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.3% in 2024.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Sri Lanka ranks 61st out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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.