Literate and illiterate world population in Zambia
Zambia: Literate and illiterate world population was 28.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Zambia, 1950–2024
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 28.2% for literate and illiterate world population in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 41.0% on the previous year and up 67.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Zambia peaked at 77.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 16.9%, in 2010.
Zambia ranks 27th of 128 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 77.5% | 77.5% | 77.5% | 1 |
| 1990s | 33.5% | 32.0% | 35.0% | 2 |
| 2000s | 30.9% | 30.9% | 30.9% | 1 |
| 2010s | 22.9% | 16.9% | 28.9% | 2 |
| 2020s | 21.6% | 18.2% | 28.2% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More population data for Zambia
- World population growth 0.5% (2100)
- Population density 86.73 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 4.60 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.5% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 4.04 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 4.04 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 79,275 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 4.04 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 4.1 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 3.82 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Zambia?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Zambia was 28.2% in 2024, 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 77.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.9% in 2010.
- How does Zambia rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Zambia ranks 27th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 67.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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.