Share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age in United States of America
United States of America: Share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age was 79.0% in 2022. ▬ Flat
Share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age in United States of America, 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 States of America stood at 79.0%.
The figure is down 3.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age in United States of America peaked at 82.1% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 78.1%, in 2003.
That places United States of America 7th out of 53 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top quarter.
Share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age in United States of America, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 79.1% | — |
| 2003 | 78.1% | -1.2% |
| 2009 | 80.9% | +3.5% |
| 2012 | 82.1% | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 80.0% | -2.6% |
| 2018 | 79.7% | -0.3% |
| 2022 | 79.0% | -0.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 79.4% | 78.1% | 80.9% | 3 |
| 2010s | 80.6% | 79.7% | 82.1% | 3 |
| 2020s | 79.0% | 79.0% | 79.0% | 1 |
Countries ranked near United States of America
More reference data data for United States of America
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 19.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 24.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 20.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 64.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 52.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 133.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 589.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 112.69 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age in United States of America?
- Share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age in United States of America was 79.0% 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 States of America?
- The highest recorded value was 82.1% in 2012.
- What is the lowest share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age recorded in United States of America?
- The lowest recorded value was 78.1% in 2003.
- How does United States of America rank for share of children achieving minimum reading proficiency by the end of lower-secondary age?
- United States of America ranks 7th 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 States of America?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United States of America 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.