Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in United States of America
United States of America: Literacy rates vs average years of schooling was 96.5 in 1950. ▲ Rising
Latest (1950)
96.5
World rank
41st
of 128 countries
All-time high
97.1
in 1940
All-time low
89.3
in 1900
Years of data
6
1900–1950
Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in United States of America, 1900–1950
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for literacy rates vs average years of schooling 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, literacy rates vs average years of schooling in United States of America peaked at 97.1 in 1940 and was at its lowest, 89.3, in 1900.
United States of America ranks 41st of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in United States of America, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 89.3 | — |
| 1910 | 92.3 | +3.4% |
| 1920 | 94 | +1.8% |
| 1930 | 95.7 | +1.8% |
| 1940 | 97.1 | +1.5% |
| 1950 | 96.5 | -0.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | 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
- 38 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 97.18
- 39 China 96.74
- 40 Macau (China) 96.54
- 41 Belgium 96.5 compare
- 41 France 96.5 compare
- 44 Kuwait 96.46
More education data for United States of America
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 1.78 million (2023)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Duration of pre primary education 3 (2025)
- Official entrance age to pre primary education 3 (2025)
- Population ages 15-64 64.5% (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 17.1% (2025)
- Lower secondary school starting age 12 years (2025)
- Primary school starting age 6 years (2025)
- Primary secondary enrollment completion rates, gaps filled 96.97 (2022)
- School enrollment, primary 97.0% (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rates vs average years of schooling in United States of America?
- Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in United States of America was 96.5 in 1950, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest literacy rates vs average years of schooling recorded in United States of America?
- The highest recorded value was 97.1 in 1940.
- What is the lowest literacy rates vs average years of schooling recorded in United States of America?
- The lowest recorded value was 89.3 in 1900.
- How does United States of America rank for literacy rates vs average years of schooling?
- United States of America ranks 41st out of 128 countries with data for 1950.
- Is literacy rates vs average years of schooling 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 Literacy rates vs average years of schooling. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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