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Statistics · Country
Literacy rate in Spain
1981 – 2021 · 18 data points
2 of 12 · Countries
Updated Oct 23, 2026
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators, 1981 – 2021
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Overview
6 figures
People
13 figures
Economy
14 figures
Housing
1 figure
Education
5 figures
Tourism
4 figures
Climate
1 figure
Latest value · 2021
99.7%
+1.1 pp
since 2020
Countries · 2021
2 of 12
Place 1 is the highest value.
since 2011
+1.9 pp
vs World
+12.0 pp
World: 87.7% · 2024
Literacy rate, 1981 – 2021 percent · Spain · World
+1.9 pp since 2011
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
1981
2000
2024
Spain
World
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators, 1981 – 2021
Compared with Literacy rate · percent
Spain
99.7%
World
87.7% · 2024
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators
The series at a glance Spain · 1981 – 2021
Latest value
99.7% · 2021
First value
92.8% · 1981
Highest
99.7% · 2021
Lowest
92.8% · 1981
Data points
18
By year
All years · 1981 – 2021
| Year | Spain | Change | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 99.7% | +1.1 pp | 87.2% |
| 2020 | 98.6% | +0.1 pp | 87.0% |
| 2018 | 98.4% | +0.2 pp | 86.8% |
| 2016 | 98.2% | +0.1 pp | 86.3% |
| 2015 | 98.1% | +0.1 pp | 86.0% |
| 2014 | 98.1% | +0.0 pp | 85.6% |
| 2013 | 98.1% | +0.2 pp | 85.2% |
| 2012 | 97.9% | +0.1 pp | 84.9% |
| 2011 | 97.8% | +0.0 pp | 84.7% |
| 2010 | 97.8% | +0.1 pp | 84.4% |
| 2009 | 97.7% | +0.1 pp | 83.8% |
| 2008 | 97.6% | −0.3 pp | 83.5% |
| 2007 | 97.9% | +0.2 pp | 83.1% |
| 2006 | 97.8% | ±0.0 pp | 82.5% |
| 2005 | 97.8% | +0.6 pp | 82.6% |
| 2004 | 97.2% | +0.7 pp | 82.6% |
| 1991 | 96.5% | +3.7 pp | 75.1% |
| 1981 | 92.8% | 68.3% |
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators, 1981 – 2021
Ranking · Countries
2013 · Place 1 is the highest value.
| # | Territory | Literacy rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Bangladesh | 61.0% | |
| 10 | Egypt | 72.4% | |
| 9 | Honduras | 85.5% | |
| 8 | Brazil | 91.5% | |
| 7 | Ecuador | 93.3% | |
| 6 | Mexico | 94.0% | |
| 5 | Saudi Arabia | 94.4% | |
| 4 | Türkiye | 95.3% | |
| 3 | Chile | 96.3% | |
| 2 | Philippines | 96.4% | |
| 1 | Spain | 98.1% |
Source: World Bank — World Development Indicators, 2013
What it means
The share of people aged 15 and over who can read and write.
How it is calculated
People aged 15+ able to read and write a simple note divided by all people aged 15+.
Education & commute
Spain in numbers