Cross country literacy rates in United States of America

United States of America: Cross country literacy rates was 96.5 in 1950. β–² Rising

Latest (1950)
96.5
World rank
42nd
of 128 countries
All-time high
97.1
in 1940
All-time low
89.3
in 1900
Years of data
6
1900–1950

Cross country literacy rates in United States of America, 1900–1950

0204060801001900192519501900: 89.31910: 92.31920: 941930: 95.71940: 97.11950: 96.5

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for cross country literacy rates in United States of America is 96.5, measured in 1950.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, cross country literacy rates in United States of America peaked at 97.1 in 1940 and was at its lowest, 89.3, in 1900.

That places United States of America 42nd out of 128 countries with data for 1950, putting it in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1900s 89.3 89.3 89.3 1
1910s 92.3 92.3 92.3 1
1920s 94 94 94 1
1930s 95.7 95.7 95.7 1
1940s 97.1 97.1 97.1 1
1950s 96.5 96.5 96.5 1

Countries ranked near United States of America

  1. 39 China 96.74
  2. 40 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 96.73
  3. 41 Macau, China 96.54
  4. 42 Belgium 96.5 compare
  5. 42 France 96.5 compare
  6. 45 Kuwait 96.46

See the full ranking of 128 places β†’

More education data for United States of America

All data for United States of America β†’

Frequently asked questions

What is cross country literacy rates in United States of America?
Cross country literacy rates in United States of America was 96.5 in 1950, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest cross country literacy rates recorded in United States of America?
The highest recorded value was 97.1 in 1940.
What is the lowest cross country literacy rates recorded in United States of America?
The lowest recorded value was 89.3 in 1900.
How does United States of America rank for cross country literacy rates?
United States of America ranks 42nd out of 128 countries with data for 1950.
Is cross country literacy rates rising or falling in United States of America?
Over the last ten years it is down 0.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this United States of America 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 United States of America. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 19 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/cross-country-literacy-rates/united-states/

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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