Literate and illiterate world population in France

France: Literate and illiterate world population was 3.5% in 1950. ◆ Volatile

Latest (1950)
3.5%
World rank
85th
of 128 countries
All-time high
94.0%
in 1475
All-time low
3.4%
in 1946
Years of data
13
1475–1950

Literate and illiterate world population in France, 1475–1950

0204060801001475171219501475: 94 %1550: 81 %1650: 71 %1750: 71 %1901: 16.5 %1906: 14.1 %1911: 11.9 %1921: 8.2 %1926: 6.1 %1931: 5.3 %1936: 4 %1946: 3.4 %1950: 3.5 %

Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

France recorded 3.5% for literate and illiterate world population in 1950.

The figure is down 12.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in France peaked at 94.0% in 1475 and was at its lowest, 3.4%, in 1946.

That places France 85th out of 128 countries with data for 1950, putting it 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

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1470s 94.0% 94.0% 94.0% 1
1550s 81.0% 81.0% 81.0% 1
1650s 71.0% 71.0% 71.0% 1
1750s 71.0% 71.0% 71.0% 1
1900s 15.3% 14.1% 16.5% 2
1910s 11.9% 11.9% 11.9% 1
1920s 7.1% 6.1% 8.2% 2
1930s 4.7% 4.0% 5.3% 2
1940s 3.4% 3.4% 3.4% 1
1950s 3.5% 3.5% 3.5% 1

Countries ranked near France

  1. 82 Panama 3.8% compare
  2. 83 Chile 3.6% compare
  3. 84 Kuwait 3.5% compare
  4. 85 Belgium 3.5% compare
  5. 85 United States 3.5% compare
  6. 88 Macao 3.5% compare

See the full ranking of 128 places →

More population data for France

All data for France →

Frequently asked questions

What is literate and illiterate world population in France?
Literate and illiterate world population in France 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 France?
The highest recorded value was 94.0% in 1475.
What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in France?
The lowest recorded value was 3.4% in 1946.
How does France rank for literate and illiterate world population?
France ranks 85th out of 128 countries with data for 1950.
Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in France?
Over the last ten years it is down 12.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this France 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 — 13 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator
Literate and illiterate world population
Unit
%
Source
UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
128 places, 1,272 data points, 1475–2024
Last refreshed

Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.