Share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age was 79.7% in 2022. ▼ Falling
Share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2000–2022
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2022, share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland stood at 79.7%. That is the lowest value across all 8 years on record.
The figure is down 4.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 86.8% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 79.7%, in 2022.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 6th of 53 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 86.8% | — |
| 2003 | 84.8% | -2.3% |
| 2006 | 80.7% | -4.8% |
| 2009 | 81.3% | +0.7% |
| 2012 | 83.1% | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 81.9% | -1.4% |
| 2018 | 82.5% | +0.8% |
| 2022 | 79.7% | -3.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 83.4% | 80.7% | 86.8% | 4 |
| 2010s | 82.5% | 81.9% | 83.1% | 3 |
| 2020s | 79.7% | 79.7% | 79.7% | 1 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
More reference data data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.13 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.97 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.01 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 10.5 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 6.51 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 15.81 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 59.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 5.48 (2050)
All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 79.7% in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 86.8% in 2000.
- What is the lowest share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 79.7% in 2022.
- How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 6th out of 53 countries with data for 2022.
- Is share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 4.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of children who achieve minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower secondary education. This data accounts for school completion rates to estimate skills for all children, not just those in school.