Literate and illiterate world population in Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo: Literate and illiterate world population was 31.5% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in Democratic Republic of Congo, 1950–2023
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Democratic Republic of Congo recorded 31.5% for literate and illiterate world population in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.2% on the previous year and up 26.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Democratic Republic of Congo peaked at 62.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 23.0%, in 2016.
Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 21st of 128 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 62.5% | 62.5% | 62.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 32.8% | 32.8% | 32.8% | 1 |
| 2010s | 24.8% | 23.0% | 26.4% | 3 |
| 2020s | 32.9% | 31.5% | 34.3% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of Congo
More population data for Democratic Republic of Congo
- Population growth rate 3.3% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Democratic Republic of Congo was 31.5% 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 Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 62.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 23.0% in 2016.
- How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 21st out of 128 countries with data for 2023.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo 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.