Literate and illiterate world population in Nepal
Nepal: Literate and illiterate world population was 31.3% in 2019. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in Nepal, 1950–2019
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2019, literate and illiterate world population in Nepal stood at 31.3%. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is down 5.6% on the previous year and down 29.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Nepal peaked at 97.0% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 31.3%, in 2019.
Nepal ranks 22nd of 128 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 97.0% | 97.0% | 97.0% | 1 |
| 1980s | 79.4% | 79.4% | 79.4% | 1 |
| 1990s | 67.0% | 67.0% | 67.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 47.9% | 44.4% | 51.4% | 2 |
| 2010s | 34.8% | 31.3% | 40.4% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Nepal
More population data for Nepal
- Population growth rate -0.1% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Nepal?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Nepal was 31.3% in 2019, 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 Nepal?
- The highest recorded value was 97.0% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Nepal?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.3% in 2019.
- How does Nepal rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Nepal ranks 22nd out of 128 countries with data for 2019.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Nepal?
- Over the last ten years it is down 29.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Nepal 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.
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About this data
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.