Literate and illiterate world population in Tonga
Tonga: Literate and illiterate world population was 0.5% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
0.5%
World rank
122nd
of 128 countries
All-time high
8.9%
in 2019
All-time low
0.4%
in 1976
Years of data
8
1950–2023
Literate and illiterate world population in Tonga, 1950–2023
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Tonga recorded 0.5% for literate and illiterate world population in 2023.
The figure is down 14.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Tonga peaked at 8.9% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 1976.
Tonga ranks 122nd of 128 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Literate and illiterate world population in Tonga, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 7.5% | — |
| 1976 | 0.4% | -94.5% |
| 1996 | 1.1% | +165.9% |
| 2006 | 1.0% | -10.1% |
| 2011 | 0.6% | -37.8% |
| 2016 | 2.9% | +367.2% |
| 2019 | 8.9% | +214.0% |
| 2023 | 0.5% | -94.2% |
Tonga compared with similar countries
- Tonga's 0.5% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.6%, 11% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Tonga's 0.5% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4.0%, 13% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 7.5% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 1 |
| 1970s | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 1 |
| 1990s | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1 |
| 2000s | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1 |
| 2010s | 4.1% | 0.6% | 8.9% | 3 |
| 2020s | 0.5% | 0.5% | 0.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Tonga
More population data for Tonga
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.5565 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0093 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.4068 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0093 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.0% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 6,812 people (2100)
- Population density 163.72 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.0% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.3365 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8047 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Tonga?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Tonga was 0.5% in 2023, 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 Tonga?
- The highest recorded value was 8.9% in 2019.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Tonga?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 1976.
- How does Tonga rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Tonga ranks 122nd out of 128 countries with data for 2023.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Tonga?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Tonga 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.