Literate and illiterate world population in Turkey
Turkey: Literate and illiterate world population was 2.7% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Turkey, 1927–2021
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 Turkey is 2.7%, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 23 years on record.
The figure is down 16.0% on the previous year and down 53.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Turkey peaked at 91.8% in 1927 and was at its lowest, 2.7%, in 2021.
Turkey ranks 92nd 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.
Literate and illiterate world population in Turkey, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1927 | 91.8% | — |
| 1935 | 79.6% | -13.3% |
| 1945 | 69.5% | -12.7% |
| 1950 | 67.5% | -2.9% |
| 1975 | 38.4% | -43.2% |
| 1980 | 34.3% | -10.6% |
| 1985 | 24.0% | -30.0% |
| 1990 | 20.8% | -13.6% |
| 2004 | 12.6% | -39.2% |
| 2005 | 11.8% | -6.8% |
| 2006 | 11.9% | +0.9% |
| 2007 | 11.3% | -4.5% |
| 2009 | 9.2% | -19.0% |
| 2010 | 7.3% | -20.0% |
| 2011 | 5.9% | -19.8% |
| 2012 | 5.1% | -13.8% |
| 2013 | 4.7% | -6.7% |
| 2014 | 4.6% | -3.8% |
| 2015 | 4.4% | -3.5% |
| 2016 | 4.1% | -5.9% |
| 2017 | 3.9% | -7.0% |
| 2019 | 3.3% | -15.3% |
| 2021 | 2.7% | -16.0% |
Turkey compared with similar countries
- Turkey's 2.7% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.6%, 60% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Turkey's 2.7% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1.5%, 1.8× the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 91.8% | 91.8% | 91.8% | 1 |
| 1930s | 79.6% | 79.6% | 79.6% | 1 |
| 1940s | 69.5% | 69.5% | 69.5% | 1 |
| 1950s | 67.5% | 67.5% | 67.5% | 1 |
| 1970s | 38.4% | 38.4% | 38.4% | 1 |
| 1980s | 29.2% | 24.0% | 34.3% | 2 |
| 1990s | 20.8% | 20.8% | 20.8% | 1 |
| 2000s | 11.4% | 9.2% | 12.6% | 5 |
| 2010s | 4.8% | 3.3% | 7.3% | 9 |
| 2020s | 2.7% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Turkey
More population data for Turkey
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.543 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.1546 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -1.0% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 2.26 million people (2100)
- Population density 84.9 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -1.0% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.9701 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, per capita 0.1073 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Turkey?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Turkey was 2.7% 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 Turkey?
- The highest recorded value was 91.8% in 1927.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Turkey?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.7% in 2021.
- How does Turkey rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Turkey ranks 92nd out of 128 countries with data for 2021.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Turkey?
- Over the last ten years it is down 53.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Turkey 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.