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Estimated historical literacy rates, 1451 to 1701

Figure illustrates the proportion of people who are deemed literate. The year 1451 refers to the period 1451-1500, while the years 1501, 1601, and 1701 represent the
century.

145117011500155016001650ItalyIrelandUnited KingdomFranceGermanyPolandBelgiumSwedenNetherlandsSpain

Source: Buringh and Van Zanden (2009)