Literate and illiterate world population in United States
United States: Literate and illiterate world population was 3.5% in 1950. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in United States, 1900–1950
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 United States is 3.5%, measured in 1950.
The figure is up 20.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in United States peaked at 10.7% in 1900 and was at its lowest, 2.9%, in 1940.
That places United States 85th out of 128 countries with data for 1950, putting it in the middle of the range.
Literate and illiterate world population in United States, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 10.7% | — |
| 1910 | 7.7% | -28.0% |
| 1920 | 6.0% | -22.1% |
| 1930 | 4.3% | -28.3% |
| 1940 | 2.9% | -32.6% |
| 1950 | 3.5% | +20.7% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 3.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.2%, 1.6× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 10.7% | 10.7% | 10.7% | 1 |
| 1910s | 7.7% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 1 |
| 1920s | 6.0% | 6.0% | 6.0% | 1 |
| 1930s | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 1 |
| 1940s | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1 |
| 1950s | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near United States
More population data for United States
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.0241 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1369 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.8 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1369 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.1% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 19.91 million people (2100)
- Population density 46.05 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.1% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.1565 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.4762 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in United States?
- Literate and illiterate world population in United States was 3.5% in 1950, 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 United States?
- The highest recorded value was 10.7% in 1900.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.9% in 1940.
- How does United States rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- United States ranks 85th out of 128 countries with data for 1950.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United States 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.