Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in United States
United States: 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, 1900–1950
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for literacy rates vs average years of schooling in United States 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 peaked at 97.1 in 1940 and was at its lowest, 89.3, in 1900.
United States ranks 41st of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in United States, 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% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 96.5 is below the median for high income countries, which is 97.65, 99% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
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
More education data for United States
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 96.21 (2022)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 96.02 (2022)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 1.74 million (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 419,732 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 4.34 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 4.14 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 25.35 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 23.83 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.33 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rates vs average years of schooling in United States?
- Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in United States 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?
- The highest recorded value was 97.1 in 1940.
- What is the lowest literacy rates vs average years of schooling recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 89.3 in 1900.
- How does United States rank for literacy rates vs average years of schooling?
- United States ranks 41st out of 128 countries with data for 1950.
- Is literacy rates vs average years of schooling rising or falling in United States?
- 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 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
CSV · JSON — 6 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).