Literate and illiterate world population in Tanzania
Tanzania: Literate and illiterate world population was 21.8% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Tanzania, 1950–2022
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 Tanzania is 21.8%, measured in 2022.
The figure is up 22.7% on the previous year and down 0.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Tanzania peaked at 92.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 17.8%, in 2020.
That places Tanzania 38th out of 128 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
Literate and illiterate world population in Tanzania, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 92.5% | — |
| 1988 | 40.9% | -55.8% |
| 2002 | 30.6% | -25.2% |
| 2012 | 21.9% | -28.4% |
| 2014 | 20.1% | -8.2% |
| 2015 | 22.1% | +10.0% |
| 2020 | 17.8% | -19.7% |
| 2022 | 21.8% | +22.7% |
Tanzania compared with similar countries
- Tanzania's 21.8% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 21.8%, 100% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Tanzania's 21.8% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 29.1%, 75% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 92.5% | 92.5% | 92.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 40.9% | 40.9% | 40.9% | 1 |
| 2000s | 30.6% | 30.6% | 30.6% | 1 |
| 2010s | 21.4% | 20.1% | 22.1% | 3 |
| 2020s | 19.8% | 17.8% | 21.8% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Tanzania
More population data for Tanzania
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.6843 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.8793 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.36 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.8793 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.9% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 20.58 million people (2100)
- Population density 296.72 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.9% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.089 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.69 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Tanzania?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Tanzania was 21.8% in 2022, 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 Tanzania?
- The highest recorded value was 92.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Tanzania?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.8% in 2020.
- How does Tanzania rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Tanzania ranks 38th out of 128 countries with data for 2022.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Tanzania?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Tanzania 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.