Literacy rate in Belgium
Belgium: Literacy rate was 96.5% in 1950. ◆ Volatile
Latest (1950)
96.5%
World rank
42nd
of 128 countries
All-time high
96.5%
in 1950
All-time low
10.0%
in 1475
Years of data
9
1475–1950
Literacy rate in Belgium, 1475–1950
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for literacy rate in Belgium is 96.5%, measured in 1950. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
Over the whole period, literacy rate in Belgium peaked at 96.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 10.0%, in 1475.
Belgium ranks 42nd of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Literacy rate in Belgium, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1475 | 10.0% | — |
| 1550 | 17.0% | +70.0% |
| 1650 | 25.0% | +47.1% |
| 1750 | 13.0% | -48.0% |
| 1900 | 80.4% | +518.5% |
| 1910 | 86.6% | +7.7% |
| 1920 | 92.2% | +6.5% |
| 1930 | 94.1% | +2.1% |
| 1950 | 96.5% | +2.6% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 96.5% is below the median for high income countries, which is 97.8%, 99% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 96.5% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 98.5%, 98% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1470s | 10.0% | 10.0% | 10.0% | 1 |
| 1550s | 17.0% | 17.0% | 17.0% | 1 |
| 1650s | 25.0% | 25.0% | 25.0% | 1 |
| 1750s | 13.0% | 13.0% | 13.0% | 1 |
| 1900s | 80.4% | 80.4% | 80.4% | 1 |
| 1910s | 86.6% | 86.6% | 86.6% | 1 |
| 1920s | 92.2% | 92.2% | 92.2% | 1 |
| 1930s | 94.1% | 94.1% | 94.1% | 1 |
| 1950s | 96.5% | 96.5% | 96.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Belgium
More education data for Belgium
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 137,795 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 17,384 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 221,494 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 210,503 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.18 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 814,388 (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.1356 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0691 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rate in Belgium?
- Literacy rate in Belgium was 96.5% in 1950, according to UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest literacy rate recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 96.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literacy rate recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.0% in 1475.
- How does Belgium rank for literacy rate?
- Belgium ranks 42nd out of 128 countries with data for 1950.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Literacy rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 9 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of adults who can read and write a simple statement about their everyday life.