Sweden vs United Kingdom: Literacy rate vs. average years of schooling

Sweden
98.5%
in 1950
United Kingdom
98.5%
in 1950
Sweden rank
18th
United Kingdom rank
18th

Literacy rate vs. average years of schooling over time

  • Sweden
  • United Kingdom
020406080100147517121950

How they compare

Sweden currently reports 98.5% against 98.5% in United Kingdom, a difference of 0.0%.

Across all 5 years both countries report, United Kingdom has been ahead every year.

Sweden ranks 18th and United Kingdom ranks 18th of 128 countries.

United Kingdom has averaged higher in every one of the 5 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Sweden United Kingdom Difference Ahead
1470s 1.0% 5.0% 4.0% United Kingdom
1550s 1.0% 16.0% 15.0% United Kingdom
1650s 23.0% 53.0% 30.0% United Kingdom
1750s 48.0% 54.0% 6.0% United Kingdom
1950s 98.5% 98.5% 0.0%

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher literacy rate vs. average years of schooling, Sweden or United Kingdom?
Sweden, at 98.5% against 98.5% in United Kingdom as of 1950.
What is the difference in literacy rate vs. average years of schooling between Sweden and United Kingdom?
0.0%, with Sweden ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Sweden and United Kingdom?
5 years are reported by both, from 1475 to 1950.
How do Sweden and United Kingdom rank globally for literacy rate vs. average years of schooling?
Sweden ranks 18th and United Kingdom ranks 18th of 128 countries.
Where does this data come from?
UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as Literacy rate vs. average years of schooling. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Sweden vs United Kingdom: Literacy rate vs. average years of schooling. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/literacy-rates-vs-average-years-of-schooling/sweden/united-kingdom/

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About this data

Indicator
Literacy rate vs. average years of schooling
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, 1,242 data points, 1475–2023
Last refreshed

Share of adults who can read and write a simple statement about their everyday life.