Literacy rate in Greece
Greece: Literacy rate was 93.9% in 2009. ▲ Rising
Latest (2009)
93.9%
World rank
62nd
of 128 countries
All-time high
96.0%
in 2001
All-time low
39.5%
in 1907
Years of data
8
1907–2009
Literacy rate in Greece, 1907–2009
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Greece recorded 93.9% for literacy rate in 2009.
The figure is down 2.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literacy rate in Greece peaked at 96.0% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 39.5%, in 1907.
That places Greece 62nd out of 128 countries with data for 2009, putting it in the middle of the range.
Literacy rate in Greece, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1907 | 39.5% | — |
| 1920 | 48.0% | +21.5% |
| 1928 | 58.1% | +21.0% |
| 1950 | 72.5% | +24.8% |
| 1981 | 90.5% | +24.8% |
| 1991 | 92.6% | +2.3% |
| 2001 | 96.0% | +3.6% |
| 2009 | 93.9% | -2.2% |
Greece compared with similar countries
- Greece's 93.9% is below the median for high income countries, which is 97.8%, 96% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
- Greece's 93.9% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 98.5%, 95% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 39.5% | 39.5% | 39.5% | 1 |
| 1920s | 53.0% | 48.0% | 58.1% | 2 |
| 1950s | 72.5% | 72.5% | 72.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 90.5% | 90.5% | 90.5% | 1 |
| 1990s | 92.6% | 92.6% | 92.6% | 1 |
| 2000s | 94.9% | 93.9% | 96.0% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Greece
More education data for Greece
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 82,575 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 7,545 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 90,546 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 83,794 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 687,813 (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 578,574 (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.67 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0556 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rate in Greece?
- Literacy rate in Greece was 93.9% in 2009, according to UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest literacy rate recorded in Greece?
- The highest recorded value was 96.0% in 2001.
- What is the lowest literacy rate recorded in Greece?
- The lowest recorded value was 39.5% in 1907.
- How does Greece rank for literacy rate?
- Greece ranks 62nd out of 128 countries with data for 2009.
- Is literacy rate rising or falling in Greece?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Greece 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.
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About this data
Share of adults who can read and write a simple statement about their everyday life.