Literate and illiterate world population in Mexico
Mexico: Literate and illiterate world population was 4.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Mexico, 1900–2024
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, literate and illiterate world population in Mexico stood at 4.5%.
The figure is up 6.8% on the previous year and down 18.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Mexico peaked at 77.7% in 1900 and was at its lowest, 4.2%, in 2023.
Mexico ranks 77th 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 | 77.7% | 77.7% | 77.7% | 1 |
| 1910s | 72.3% | 72.3% | 72.3% | 1 |
| 1920s | 66.2% | 66.2% | 66.2% | 1 |
| 1930s | 61.5% | 61.5% | 61.5% | 1 |
| 1940s | 54.0% | 54.0% | 54.0% | 1 |
| 1950s | 37.5% | 37.5% | 37.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 17.0% | 17.0% | 17.0% | 1 |
| 1990s | 12.4% | 12.4% | 12.4% | 1 |
| 2000s | 8.2% | 6.6% | 9.7% | 8 |
| 2010s | 5.6% | 4.6% | 6.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.5% | 4.2% | 4.9% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Mexico
More population data for Mexico
- Population growth rate 0.9% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Mexico?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Mexico was 4.5% in 2024, 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 Mexico?
- The highest recorded value was 77.7% in 1900.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Mexico?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.2% in 2023.
- How does Mexico rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Mexico ranks 77th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Mexico?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Mexico 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
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.