From a historical perspective, literacy levels for the world population have risen drastically in the last couple of centuries. ... Over the last 65 years the global literacy rate increased by 4% every 5 years – from 42% in 1960 to 86% in 2015.

Has America improved literacy?

Studies show that adult literacy rates have not improved over the past 25 years, but many believe that this is still a marked improvement from where we were before the creation of the public school system. There's a common misconception that Americans were illiterate before the 1830s.

Has the literacy rates of the population increased?

Yes, the literacy rate of the population has increased. The literacy rate have increased from 18% in 1951 to 65% in 2001.