Literate and illiterate world population in Syria
Syria: Literate and illiterate world population was 5.6% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Syria, 1950–2021
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2021, literate and illiterate world population in Syria stood at 5.6%. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Syria peaked at 72.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 5.6%, in 2021.
That places Syria 71st out of 128 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Literate and illiterate world population in Syria, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 72.5% | — |
| 1981 | 44.4% | -38.8% |
| 2002 | 17.1% | -61.4% |
| 2004 | 19.2% | +12.0% |
| 2021 | 5.6% | -70.9% |
Syria compared with similar countries
- Syria's 5.6% is below the median for low income countries, which is 38.9%, 14% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Syria's 5.6% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 6.7%, 83% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 72.5% | 72.5% | 72.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 44.4% | 44.4% | 44.4% | 1 |
| 2000s | 18.1% | 17.1% | 19.2% | 2 |
| 2020s | 5.6% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Syria
More population data for Syria
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.1293 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1531 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.59 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1531 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.1% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 2.22 million people (2100)
- Population density 237.91 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.1% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -1.1 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, per capita 0.2792 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Syria?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Syria was 5.6% 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 Syria?
- The highest recorded value was 72.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Syria?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.6% in 2021.
- How does Syria rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Syria ranks 71st out of 128 countries with data for 2021.
- Where does this Syria 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
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About this data
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.