What is literate and illiterate world population in Germany?

Literate and illiterate world population in Germany was 1.5% 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 Germany?

The highest recorded value was 91.0% in 1475.

What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Germany?

The lowest recorded value was 1.5% in 1950.

How does Germany rank for literate and illiterate world population?

Germany ranks 105th out of 128 countries with data for 1950.

Where does this Germany 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.

Literate and illiterate world population in Germany

Name: Literate and illiterate world population in Germany
Creator: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Germany: Literate and illiterate world population was 1.5% in 1950. ◆ Volatile

Latest (1950)

1.5%

World rank

105th

of 128 countries

All-time high

91.0%

in 1475

All-time low

1.5%

in 1950

Years of data

1475–1950

Literate and illiterate world population in Germany, 1475–1950

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 Germany is 1.5%, measured in 1950. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.

Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Germany peaked at 91.0% in 1475 and was at its lowest, 1.5%, in 1950.

That places Germany 105th out of 128 countries with data for 1950, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1470s	91.0%	91.0%	91.0%	1
1550s	84.0%	84.0%	84.0%	1
1650s	69.0%	69.0%	69.0%	1
1750s	62.0%	62.0%	62.0%	1
1950s	1.5%	1.5%	1.5%	1

Countries ranked near Germany

102 Maldives 1.8% compare
103 Bulgaria 1.6% compare
104 Philippines 1.5% compare
105 Finland 1.5% compare
105 Ireland 1.5% compare
105 Netherlands 1.5% compare
105 Sweden 1.5% compare
105 United Kingdom 1.5% compare

See the full ranking of 128 places →

More population data for Germany

Population growth rate 0.3% (2023)

All data for Germany →

Frequently asked questions

What is literate and illiterate world population in Germany?: Literate and illiterate world population in Germany was 1.5% 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 Germany?: The highest recorded value was 91.0% in 1475.
What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Germany?: The lowest recorded value was 1.5% in 1950.
How does Germany rank for literate and illiterate world population?: Germany ranks 105th out of 128 countries with data for 1950.
Where does this Germany 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 — 5 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: 06 August 2026

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