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Puerto Rico (US) Literacy Rate

Adult literacy rate  SE.ADT.LITR.ZS

Puerto Rico (US)'s literacy rate was 92.39% in 2017, ranked 22nd globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from 2016. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2017.

92.39% +0.42pp (+0.5%)
Year 2017 Rank #22 Global Peak 92.39% (2017) Source World Bank

Puerto Rico (US) Literacy Rate (1980–2017)

Overview

Puerto Rico (US)'s literacy rate stood at 92.39% in 2017, a rise of +0.42pp from 2010. Puerto Rico (US) ranked 22nd globally.

Puerto Rico's literacy rate has shown a steady improvement since 1980, with significant gains achieved in the subsequent decades. By 2017, the island's literacy rate reached its all-time peak of 92.39%, ranking it 22nd globally. This progress is particularly notable when compared to its peer countries, such as Ecuador, which boasts a 92.83% literacy rate. The 5.64 percentage point increase from 1980 to 2017 demonstrates the effectiveness of education policies implemented during this period. The island's literacy rate has consistently surpassed the regional average, positioning it as a model for other countries in the region to follow. However, the trend may be influenced by the ongoing challenges faced by Puerto Rico, including economic instability and demographic shifts, which could potentially impact the island's educational infrastructure and, subsequently, its literacy rate. A sustained investment in education and support for vulnerable populations would be crucial to maintaining Puerto Rico's high literacy rate in the face of these challenges.

Data & projection

Year Literacy Rate YoY change Rank
2017 92.39% +0.42pp #22
2010 91.97% +2.35pp #25
1990 89.62% +2.87pp #5
1980 86.75% – #9

Detected Pattern

Stagflation Risk
GDP growth below 2% combined with inflation above 8% and rising unemployment. The worst macro combination for policymakers.
Inflation 9.5% GDP growth 1.1% Unemployment 19.8%
Occurred 307 times, 117 successful
Inflation
26.9%
GDP growth
-4.2%
Unemployment
14.6%
Inflation
185.7%
GDP growth
-14.0%
Unemployment
60.8%
Inflation
14.4%
GDP growth
1.1%
Unemployment
9.1%
Inflation
33.9%
GDP growth
-1.5%
Unemployment
17.0%
Inflation
736.1%
GDP growth
1.7%
Unemployment
9.4%
Inflation
13.6%
GDP growth
1.3%
Unemployment
14.1%

Analysis

Puerto Rico (US) matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1981. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw literacy rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Puerto Rico (US)'s literacy rate?▾

Puerto Rico (US)'s literacy rate was 92.39% in 2017. Ranked 22nd globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from the previous year.

What was the highest literacy rate in Puerto Rico (US)?▾

Puerto Rico (US)'s literacy rate peaked at 92.39% in 2017.

What was the lowest literacy rate in Puerto Rico (US)?▾

The lowest literacy rate in Puerto Rico (US) was 86.75% in 1980.

How does Puerto Rico (US) rank in literacy rate?▾

Puerto Rico (US) ranks 22nd globally in literacy rate as of 2017.

What is the World Bank indicator code for literacy rate?▾

The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.LITR.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.

What is the literacy rate of Puerto Rico (US) in 2017?▾

The literacy rate of Puerto Rico (US) in 2017 was 92.39%. This ranks 22nd in the world.

Cite this page

APA
Puerto Rico (US) Literacy Rate. HistorySaid. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://historysaid.com/puerto-rico-us/literacy-rate/
BibTeX
@misc{historysaid_puerto-rico-us_literacy-rate, title = {Puerto Rico (US) Literacy Rate}, url = {https://historysaid.com/puerto-rico-us/literacy-rate/}, publisher = {HistorySaid}, year = {2026} }
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