Spain Literacy Rate
Adult literacy rate SE.ADT.LITR.ZS
Spain's literacy rate was 99.70% in 2021, ranked 4th globally. This represents a 1.1% increase from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1981–2021.
Overview
Spain's literacy rate stood at 99.70% in 2021, a rise of +1.11pp from 2020. Spain ranked 4th globally.
Spain's literacy rate has witnessed a notable increase over the past four decades, with the latest available data from 2021 indicating a rate of 99.70%, ranking the country as the fourth most literate globally. This represents a significant improvement from the all-time low of 92.81% in 1981, marking a substantial gain of 6.89 percentage points over the 18-year period. Although Spain has surpassed many of its peer nations, including Mongolia, which ranks 5th globally, its literacy rate remains slightly behind that of the Russian Federation, which boasts a rate of 99.93%. This upward trend is consistent with the country's growing educational infrastructure and emphasis on education. As Spain continues to invest in its education system, it is likely that the literacy rate will remain on a steady upward trajectory, with potential improvements in vocational training and adult education contributing to further gains in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 99.70% | +1.11pp | #4 |
| 2020 | 98.59% | +0.15pp | #8 |
| 2018 | 98.44% | +0.19pp | #5 |
| 2016 | 98.25% | +0.11pp | #7 |
| 2015 | 98.14% | +0.05pp | #5 |
| 2014 | 98.09% | +0.01pp | #7 |
| 2013 | 98.08% | +0.19pp | #5 |
| 2012 | 97.89% | +0.11pp | #4 |
| 2011 | 97.78% | +0.03pp | #16 |
| 2010 | 97.75% | +0.07pp | #5 |
| 2009 | 97.68% | +0.05pp | #7 |
| 2008 | 97.63% | −0.31pp | #4 |
| 2007 | 97.94% | +0.19pp | #4 |
| 2006 | 97.75% | +0.00pp | #4 |
| 2005 | 97.75% | +0.58pp | #1 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Spain matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw literacy rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Spain's literacy rate was 99.70% in 2021. Ranked 4th globally. This represents a 1.1% increase from the previous year.
Spain's literacy rate peaked at 99.70% in 2021.
The lowest literacy rate in Spain was 92.81% in 1981.
Spain ranks 4th globally in literacy rate as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.LITR.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The literacy rate of Spain in 2021 was 99.70%. This ranks 4th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_spain_literacy-rate,
title = {Spain Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/spain/literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}