Use per cent where the number is also spelt out in words; with figures, use the per cent sign without a space between the figure and the symbol.

Small_OK Forty-nine per cent
Small_OK 65%

Note that the per cent sign should follow each of the figures in any given phrase. Therefore, not

Cross Library survey users rose last semester from 5 to 7% of the total 1,500 members.

but

Small_OK Library survey users rose last semester from 5% to 7% of the total 1,500 members.

Finally, note the difference between per cent and percentage point: an increase from 5% to 7% would be an increase of two percentage points (or an increase of 40%), not an increase of 2%.

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