Cross country literacy rates in Germany

Germany: Cross country literacy rates was 98.5 in 1950. ◆ Volatile

Latest (1950)
98.5
World rank
19th
of 128 countries
All-time high
98.5
in 1950
All-time low
9
in 1475
Years of data
5
1475–1950

Cross country literacy rates in Germany, 1475–1950

0204060801001475171219501475: 91550: 161650: 311750: 381950: 98.5

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for cross country literacy rates in Germany is 98.5, measured in 1950. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.

Over the whole period, cross country literacy rates in Germany peaked at 98.5 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 9, in 1475.

That places Germany 19th out of 128 countries with data for 1950, putting it in the top quarter.

Cross country literacy rates in Germany, year by year

Annual values for Cross country literacy rates in Germany, 1475 to 1950.
Year Value Change
1475 9 —
1550 16 +77.8%
1650 31 +93.8%
1750 38 +22.6%
1950 98.5 +159.2%

Germany compared with similar countries

  • Germany's 98.5 is above the median for high income countries, which is 97.82, 1.0× the median. (33 countries reporting)
  • Germany's 98.5 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 98.5, 1.0× the median. (25 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1470s 9 9 9 1
1550s 16 16 16 1
1650s 31 31 31 1
1750s 38 38 38 1
1950s 98.5 98.5 98.5 1

Countries ranked near Germany

  1. 16 Poland 98.74 compare
  2. 17 Mongolia 98.64
  3. 18 Montenegro 98.53
  4. 19 Finland 98.5 compare
  5. 19 Ireland 98.5 compare
  6. 19 Netherlands 98.5 compare
  7. 19 Sweden 98.5 compare
  8. 19 United Kingdom 98.5 compare

See the full ranking of 128 places →

More education data for Germany

All data for Germany →

Frequently asked questions

What is cross country literacy rates in Germany?
Cross country literacy rates in Germany was 98.5 in 1950, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest cross country literacy rates recorded in Germany?
The highest recorded value was 98.5 in 1950.
What is the lowest cross country literacy rates recorded in Germany?
The lowest recorded value was 9 in 1475.
How does Germany rank for cross country literacy rates?
Germany ranks 19th out of 128 countries with data for 1950.
Where does this Germany data come from?
The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Cross country literacy rates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Cross country literacy rates in Germany. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 13 November 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/cross-country-literacy-rates/germany/

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About this data

Indicator
Cross country literacy rates
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
128 places, 1,272 data points, 1475–2024
Last refreshed