Literate and illiterate world population in Spain
Spain: Literate and illiterate world population was 0.3% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Literate and illiterate world population in Spain, 1475–2021
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 Spain is 0.3%, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 27 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 78.7% on the previous year and down 86.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Spain peaked at 97.0% in 1475 and was at its lowest, 0.3%, in 2021.
Spain ranks 124th of 128 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1470s | 97.0% | 97.0% | 97.0% | 1 |
| 1550s | 96.0% | 96.0% | 96.0% | 1 |
| 1650s | 95.0% | 95.0% | 95.0% | 1 |
| 1750s | 92.0% | 92.0% | 92.0% | 1 |
| 1900s | 58.7% | 58.7% | 58.7% | 1 |
| 1910s | 52.2% | 52.2% | 52.2% | 1 |
| 1920s | 44.0% | 44.0% | 44.0% | 1 |
| 1940s | 23.2% | 23.2% | 23.2% | 1 |
| 1950s | 17.5% | 17.5% | 17.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 7.2% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 1 |
| 1990s | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 2.3% | 2.1% | 2.8% | 6 |
| 2010s | 1.9% | 1.6% | 2.2% | 8 |
| 2020s | 0.9% | 0.3% | 1.4% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Spain
More population data for Spain
- Population growth rate 0.0% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Spain?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Spain was 0.3% 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 Spain?
- The highest recorded value was 97.0% in 1475.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Spain?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.3% in 2021.
- How does Spain rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Spain ranks 124th out of 128 countries with data for 2021.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Spain?
- Over the last ten years it is down 86.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Spain 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 — 27 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.