Literate and illiterate world population in Egypt
Egypt: Literate and illiterate world population was 20.5% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Egypt, 1907–2022
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 Egypt is 20.5%, measured in 2022.
That represents a change of up 14.7% on the previous year and down 21.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Egypt peaked at 92.7% in 1907 and was at its lowest, 17.9%, in 2021.
Egypt ranks 41st 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.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 92.7% | 92.7% | 92.7% | 1 |
| 1910s | 91.2% | 91.2% | 91.2% | 1 |
| 1920s | 85.9% | 85.9% | 85.9% | 1 |
| 1930s | 85.2% | 85.2% | 85.2% | 1 |
| 1950s | 77.5% | 77.5% | 77.5% | 1 |
| 1970s | 61.8% | 61.8% | 61.8% | 1 |
| 1980s | 55.6% | 55.6% | 55.6% | 1 |
| 1990s | 44.4% | 44.4% | 44.4% | 1 |
| 2000s | 33.2% | 32.7% | 33.6% | 2 |
| 2010s | 27.6% | 26.1% | 28.8% | 4 |
| 2020s | 19.2% | 17.9% | 20.5% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Egypt
More population data for Egypt
- Population growth rate 1.8% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Egypt?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Egypt was 20.5% in 2022, 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 Egypt?
- The highest recorded value was 92.7% in 1907.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Egypt?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.9% in 2021.
- How does Egypt rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Egypt ranks 41st out of 128 countries with data for 2022.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Egypt?
- Over the last ten years it is down 21.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Egypt 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
CSV · JSON — 16 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.