What is literate and illiterate world population in Iraq?

Literate and illiterate world population in Iraq was 15.9% 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 Iraq?

The highest recorded value was 87.5% in 1950.

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

The lowest recorded value was 14.4% in 2017.

How does Iraq rank for literate and illiterate world population?

Iraq ranks 43rd out of 128 countries with data for 2021.

Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Iraq?

Over the last ten years it is down 30.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Iraq 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 Iraq

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

Iraq: Literate and illiterate world population was 15.9% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)

15.9%

World rank

43rd

of 128 countries

All-time high

87.5%

in 1950

All-time low

14.4%

in 2017

Years of data

1950–2021

Literate and illiterate world population in Iraq, 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 Iraq is 15.9%, measured in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 30.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Iraq peaked at 87.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 14.4%, in 2017.

That places Iraq 43rd out of 128 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1950s	87.5%	87.5%	87.5%	1
2000s	25.9%	25.9%	25.9%	1
2010s	17.9%	14.4%	22.8%	4
2020s	15.9%	15.9%	15.9%	1

Countries ranked near Iraq

40 Bangladesh 21.0% compare
41 Egypt 20.5% compare
42 Guatemala 17.9% compare
44 Tunisia 13.8% compare
45 Papua New Guinea 13.0% compare
46 Nicaragua 12.7% compare

See the full ranking of 128 places →

More population data for Iraq

Population growth rate 2.1% (2023)

All data for Iraq →

Frequently asked questions

What is literate and illiterate world population in Iraq?: Literate and illiterate world population in Iraq was 15.9% 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 Iraq?: The highest recorded value was 87.5% in 1950.
What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Iraq?: The lowest recorded value was 14.4% in 2017.
How does Iraq rank for literate and illiterate world population?: Iraq ranks 43rd out of 128 countries with data for 2021.
Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Iraq?: Over the last ten years it is down 30.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Iraq 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

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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.