Literate and illiterate world population in East Timor
East Timor: Literate and illiterate world population was 30.6% in 2022. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in East Timor, 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 East Timor is 30.6%, measured in 2022. That is the lowest value across all 7 years on record.
The figure is down 26.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in East Timor peaked at 97.0% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 30.6%, in 2022.
That places East Timor 23rd out of 128 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top quarter.
Literate and illiterate world population in East Timor, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 97.0% | — |
| 2001 | 62.4% | -35.7% |
| 2007 | 49.4% | -20.8% |
| 2010 | 41.7% | -15.6% |
| 2015 | 35.5% | -14.7% |
| 2016 | 34.2% | -3.7% |
| 2022 | 30.6% | -10.6% |
East Timor compared with similar countries
- East Timor's 30.6% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 21.8%, 1.4× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- East Timor's 30.6% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.0%, 7.7× the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 97.0% | 97.0% | 97.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 55.9% | 49.4% | 62.4% | 2 |
| 2010s | 37.2% | 34.2% | 41.7% | 3 |
| 2020s | 30.6% | 30.6% | 30.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near East Timor
More population data for East Timor
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.5654 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.2427 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.71 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.2427 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 97,537 people (2100)
- Population density 132.68 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3779 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, per capita 0.7121 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in East Timor?
- Literate and illiterate world population in East Timor was 30.6% 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 East Timor?
- The highest recorded value was 97.0% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in East Timor?
- The lowest recorded value was 30.6% in 2022.
- How does East Timor rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- East Timor ranks 23rd out of 128 countries with data for 2022.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in East Timor?
- Over the last ten years it is down 26.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this East Timor 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.