What is literate and illiterate world population in Vanuatu?

Literate and illiterate world population in Vanuatu was 12.0% in 2023, 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 Vanuatu?

The highest recorded value was 67.5% in 1950.

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

The lowest recorded value was 7.5% in 2019.

How does Vanuatu rank for literate and illiterate world population?

Vanuatu ranks 50th out of 128 countries with data for 2023.

Where does this Vanuatu 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 Vanuatu

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

Vanuatu: Literate and illiterate world population was 12.0% in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)

12.0%

Change on year

up 18.0%

World rank

50th

of 128 countries

All-time high

67.5%

in 1950

All-time low

7.5%

in 2019

Years of data

1950–2023

Literate and illiterate world population in Vanuatu, 1950–2023

Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

Vanuatu recorded 12.0% for literate and illiterate world population in 2023.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 18.0% on the previous year and up 60.0% over five years.

Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Vanuatu peaked at 67.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 7.5%, in 2019.

Vanuatu ranks 50th of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1950s	67.5%	67.5%	67.5%	1
1970s	47.1%	47.1%	47.1%	1
1990s	26.0%	26.0%	26.0%	1
2010s	7.5%	7.5%	7.5%	1
2020s	11.1%	10.2%	12.0%	2

Countries ranked near Vanuatu

47 Sao Tome and Principe 12.6% compare
48 Namibia 12.4% compare
49 Belize 12.1% compare
51 Honduras 11.8% compare
52 Cape Verde 11.5% compare
53 Iran 11.1% compare

See the full ranking of 128 places →

More population data for Vanuatu

Population growth rate 2.3% (2023)

All data for Vanuatu →

Frequently asked questions

What is literate and illiterate world population in Vanuatu?: Literate and illiterate world population in Vanuatu was 12.0% in 2023, 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 Vanuatu?: The highest recorded value was 67.5% in 1950.
What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Vanuatu?: The lowest recorded value was 7.5% in 2019.
How does Vanuatu rank for literate and illiterate world population?: Vanuatu ranks 50th out of 128 countries with data for 2023.
Where does this Vanuatu 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 — 6 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.