Literacy rate in Germany
Germany: Literacy rate 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
9.0%
in 1475
Years of data
5
1475–1950
Literacy rate in Germany, 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 Germany is 98.5%, measured in 1950. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.
Over the whole period, literacy rate in Germany peaked at 98.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 9.0%, in 1475.
That places Germany 19th out of 128 countries with data for 1950, putting it in the top quarter.
Literacy rate in Germany, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1475 | 9.0% | — |
| 1550 | 16.0% | +77.8% |
| 1650 | 31.0% | +93.8% |
| 1750 | 38.0% | +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 97.8%, 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
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1470s | 9.0% | 9.0% | 9.0% | 1 |
| 1550s | 16.0% | 16.0% | 16.0% | 1 |
| 1650s | 31.0% | 31.0% | 31.0% | 1 |
| 1750s | 38.0% | 38.0% | 38.0% | 1 |
| 1950s | 98.5% | 98.5% | 98.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Germany
- 16 Poland 98.7% compare
- 17 Mongolia 98.6%
- 18 Montenegro 98.5%
- 19 Finland 98.5% compare
- 19 Ireland 98.5% compare
- 19 Netherlands 98.5% compare
- 19 Sweden 98.5% compare
- 19 United Kingdom 98.5% compare
More education data for Germany
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 618,670 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 15,242 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.35 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.27 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.97 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.31 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.83 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0396 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rate in Germany?
- Literacy rate in Germany was 98.5% 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 Germany?
- The highest recorded value was 98.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literacy rate recorded in Germany?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.0% in 1475.
- How does Germany rank for literacy rate?
- Germany ranks 19th out of 128 countries with data for 1950.
- Where does this Germany 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 — 5 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.