Literacy rate in Hungary
Hungary: Literacy rate was 98.9% in 1980. ▲ Rising
Latest (1980)
98.9%
World rank
14th
of 128 countries
All-time high
98.9%
in 1980
All-time low
60.1%
in 1900
Years of data
7
1900–1980
Literacy rate in Hungary, 1900–1980
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 Hungary is 98.9%, measured in 1980. That is the highest value across all 7 years on record.
Over the whole period, literacy rate in Hungary peaked at 98.9% in 1980 and was at its lowest, 60.1%, in 1900.
That places Hungary 14th out of 128 countries with data for 1980, putting it in the top quarter.
Literacy rate in Hungary, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 60.1% | — |
| 1910 | 67.7% | +12.6% |
| 1920 | 86.6% | +27.9% |
| 1930 | 90.0% | +3.9% |
| 1941 | 93.6% | +4.0% |
| 1950 | 95.5% | +2.0% |
| 1980 | 98.9% | +3.5% |
Hungary compared with similar countries
- Hungary's 98.9% is above the median for high income countries, which is 97.8%, 1.0× the median. (33 countries reporting)
- Hungary's 98.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900s | 60.1% | 60.1% | 60.1% | 1 |
| 1910s | 67.7% | 67.7% | 67.7% | 1 |
| 1920s | 86.6% | 86.6% | 86.6% | 1 |
| 1930s | 90.0% | 90.0% | 90.0% | 1 |
| 1940s | 93.6% | 93.6% | 93.6% | 1 |
| 1950s | 95.5% | 95.5% | 95.5% | 1 |
| 1980s | 98.9% | 98.9% | 98.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Hungary
More education data for Hungary
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 78,564 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 6,790 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 163,967 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 150,126 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 815,267 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 384,692 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.9656 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0402 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rate in Hungary?
- Literacy rate in Hungary was 98.9% in 1980, according to UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest literacy rate recorded in Hungary?
- The highest recorded value was 98.9% in 1980.
- What is the lowest literacy rate recorded in Hungary?
- The lowest recorded value was 60.1% in 1900.
- How does Hungary rank for literacy rate?
- Hungary ranks 14th out of 128 countries with data for 1980.
- Where does this Hungary 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 — 7 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.