Literate and illiterate world population in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Literate and illiterate world population was 62.7% in 2021. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in Afghanistan, 1950–2021
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 Afghanistan is 62.7%, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of down 2.0% on the previous year and down 8.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Afghanistan peaked at 97.0% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 62.7%, in 2021.
Afghanistan ranks 4th of 128 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 97.0% | 97.0% | 97.0% | 1 |
| 1970s | 81.8% | 81.8% | 81.8% | 1 |
| 2010s | 67.4% | 66.2% | 68.5% | 2 |
| 2020s | 63.4% | 62.7% | 64.0% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More population data for Afghanistan
- Population growth rate 2.8% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Afghanistan?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Afghanistan was 62.7% 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 Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 97.0% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 62.7% in 2021.
- How does Afghanistan rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Afghanistan ranks 4th out of 128 countries with data for 2021.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Afghanistan 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.