This article needs to be updated.(March 2022) |
This is a list of countries by literacy rate.
The global literacy rate for all people aged 15 and above is 86.3%. The global literacy rate for all males is 90.0%, and the rate for all females is 82.7%. The rate varies throughout the world, with developed nations having a rate of 99.2% (2013), South and West Asia having 70.2% (2015), and sub-Saharan Africa at 64.0% (2015). [1] Over 75% of the world's 781 million illiterate adults are found in South Asia, West Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, and women represent almost two-thirds of all illiterate adults globally. [2]
Data published by UNESCO using the following definitions: [3]
Youth: Percentage of people aged 15 to 24 years who can both read and write, with understanding, a short simple statement on their everyday life. Generally, "literacy" also encompasses "numeracy", the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations.
Adult: Percentage of the population aged 25 years and over who can both read and write, with understanding, a short simple statement on his/her everyday life. Generally, "literacy" also encompasses "numeracy", the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations.
Elderly: Percentage of the population aged 65 years and over who can both read and write, with understanding, a short simple statement on their everyday life. Generally, "literacy" also encompasses "numeracy", the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations.
Gender Parity Index (GPI): The gender parity index (GPI) of the youth literacy rate is the ratio of the female to male literacy rates of the population aged 15 to 24 years. A GPI value between 0.97 and 1.03 is usually interpreted to indicate gender parity.
"*"indicates "Literacy in country or territory" or "Education in country or territory" links.
Country | Youth (15 to 24) | Adult (25+) | Elderly (65+) | Youth Gender Parity Index | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rate | Year | Rate | Year | Rate | Year | Rate | Year | |
Afghanistan * | 65.0 | 2020 [4] | 31.7 | 2011 | 20.3 | 2011 | 0.5 | 2011 |
Albania * | 99.2 | 2012 | 97.2 | 2012 | 86.9 | 2012 | 1.0 | 2012 |
Algeria * | 93.8 | 2008 | 75.1 | 2008 | 19.5 | 2008 | 1.0 | 2008 |
American Samoa * | 97.7 | 1980 | 97.3 | 1980 | 92.7 | 1980 | 1.0 | 1980 |
Andorra * | ||||||||
Angola * | 77.4 | 2014 | 66.0 | 2014 | 27.0 | 2014 | 0.8 | 2014 |
Anguilla * | 99.1 | 1984 | 95.4 | 1984 | 88.0 | 1984 | 1.0 | 1984 |
Antigua and Barbuda * | 98.9 | 2015 | ||||||
Argentina * | 99.5 | 2016 | 99.1 | 2016 | 97.9 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Armenia * | 99.8 | 2011 | 99.7 | 2011 | 98.9 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Aruba * | 99.1 | 2010 | 96.8 | 2010 | 88.9 | 2010 | 1.0 | 2010 |
Australia * | 96.6 | |||||||
Austria * | ||||||||
Azerbaijan * | 99.9 | 2016 | 99.8 | 2016 | 98.4 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Bahamas | ||||||||
Bahrain * | 97.0 | 2001 | 86.5 | 2001 | 42.3 | 2001 | 1.0 | 2001 |
Bangladesh * | 94.9 | 2019 | 74.7 | 2019 | 39.4 | 2019 | 1.03 | 2019 |
Barbados * | 99.9 | 2014 | 99.6 | 2014 | 98.5 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Belarus * | 99.8 | 2009 | 99.6 | 2009 | 98.6 | 2009 | 1.0 | 2009 |
Belgium * | ||||||||
Belize * | 77.6 | 1991 | 70.3 | 1991 | 44.8 | 1991 | 1.0 | 1991 |
Benin * | 52.5 | 2012 | 32.9 | 2012 | 7.0 | 2012 | 0.6 | 2012 |
Bermuda * | ||||||||
Bhutan * | 87.3 | 2012 | 57.0 | 2012 | 14.9 | 2012 | 0.9 | 2012 |
Bolivia * | 99.4 | 2015 | 92.5 | 2015 | 67.5 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2015 |
Bonaire | ||||||||
Bosnia and Herzegovina * | 99.7 | 2013 | 97.0 | 2013 | 86.0 | 2013 | 1.0 | 2013 |
Botswana * | 97.7 | 2014 | 87.7 | 2014 | 40.7 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Brazil * | 99.7 | 2020 | 92.0 | 2015 | 74.3 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2015 |
British Virgin Islands * | ||||||||
Brunei * | 99.4 | 2011 | 96.1 | 2011 | 61.6 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Bulgaria * | 97.9 | 2011 | 98.4 | 2011 | 97.5 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Burkina Faso * | 50.1 | 2014 | 34.6 | 2014 | 8.4 | 2014 | 0.8 | 2014 |
Burundi * | 79.6 | 2014 | 61.6 | 2014 | 24.9 | 2014 | 0.9 | 2014 |
Cape Verde * | 98.1 | 2015 | 86.8 | 2015 | 36.8 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2015 |
Cambodia * | 92.2 | 2015 | 80.5 | 2015 | 53.1 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2015 |
Cameroon * | 80.6 | 2010 | 71.3 | 2010 | 26.1 | 2010 | 0.9 | 2010 |
Canada * | ||||||||
Cayman Islands * | 98.9 | 2007 | 98.9 | 2007 | 94.7 | 2007 | 1.0 | 2007 |
Central African Republic * | 36.4 | 2010 | 36.8 | 2010 | 35.7 | 2010 | 0.6 | 2010 |
Chad * | 30.8 | 2016 | 22.3 | 2016 | 7.0 | 2016 | 0.6 | 2016 |
Chile * | 99.4 | 2015 | 96.9 | 2015 | 89.9 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2015 |
China * | 99.8 [5] | 2018 | 96.8 [6] | 2018 | 73.9 | 2010 | 1.0 [7] | 2018 |
Hong Kong * | ||||||||
Macau * | 99.8 | 2016 | 96.5 | 2016 | 81.2 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Colombia * | 98.7 | 2016 | 94.7 | 2016 | 81.4 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Comoros * | 71.6 | 2012 | 49.2 | 2012 | 12.8 | 2012 | 0.9 | 2012 |
Congo * | 80.9 | 2011 | 79.3 | 2011 | 73.1 | 2011 | 0.9 | 2011 |
DR Congo * | 85.0 | 2016 | 77.0 | 2016 | 48.0 | 2016 | 0.9 | 2016 |
Cook Islands * | ||||||||
Costa Rica * | 99.1 | 2011 | 97.4 | 2011 | 90.4 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Ivory Coast * | 53.0 | 2014 | 43.9 | 2014 | 18.0 | 2014 | 0.8 | 2014 |
Croatia * | 99.7 | 2011 | 99.1 | 2011 | 97.1 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Cuba * | 99.9 | 2012 | 99.8 | 2012 | 99.2 | 2012 | 1.0 | 2012 |
Curaçao | ||||||||
Cyprus * | 99.8 | 2011 | 98.7 | 2011 | 93.8 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Czech Republic * | ||||||||
Denmark * | ||||||||
Djibouti * | ||||||||
Dominica * | ||||||||
Dominican Republic * | 98.8 | 2016 | 93.8 | 2016 | 79.8 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Ecuador * | 99.1 | 2016 | 94.4 | 2016 | 77.7 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Egypt * | 93.9 | 2017 | 71.2 | 2017 | 43.2 | 2013 | 1.0 | 2017 |
El Salvador * | 98.0 | 2016 | 88.5 | 2017 | 65.7 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Equatorial Guinea * | 98.2 | 2014 | 95.0 | 2014 | 67.2 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Eritrea * | 87.0 | 2008 | 64.7 | 2008 | 20.9 | 2008 | 0.9 | 2008 |
Estonia * | 99.9 | 2011 | 99.9 | 2011 | 99.7 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Eswatini * | 93.5 | 2010 | 83.1 | 2010 | 45.2 | 2010 | 1.0 | 2010 |
Ethiopia * | 55.0 | 2007 | 39.0 | 2007 | 13.6 | 2007 | 0.7 | 2007 |
Faroe Islands * | ||||||||
Falkland Islands * | ||||||||
Fiji * | ||||||||
Finland * | ||||||||
France * | ||||||||
French Guiana * | 91.3 | 1982 | 82.9 | 1982 | 69.7 | 1982 | ||
French Polynesia * | ||||||||
Gabon * | 88.5 | 2012 | 82.3 | 2012 | 60.6 | 2012 | 1.0 | 2012 |
Gambia * | 60.8 | 2013 | 42.0 | 2013 | 10.4 | 2013 | 0.9 | 2013 |
Georgia * | 99.7 | 2014 | 99.6 | 2014 | 99.1 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Germany * | ||||||||
Ghana * | 85.7 | 2010 | 71.5 | 2010 | 34.9 | 2010 | 0.9 | 2010 |
Gibraltar * | ||||||||
Greece * | 98.8 | 2011 | 97.4 | 2011 | 92.5 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Greenland * [8] | 100.0 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2015 | ||||
Grenada * | 99.2 | 2014 | 98.6 | 2014 | 96.2 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Guadeloupe * | 99.8 | 2014 | 96.0 | 2014 | 82.9 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Guam * | 99.9 | 1990 | 99.4 | 1990 | 95.9 | 1990 | 1.0 | 1990 |
Guatemala * | 94.4 | 2014 | 81.3 | 2014 | 50.7 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Guinea * | 46.3 | 2014 | 32.0 | 2014 | 13.1 | 2014 | 0.7 | 2014 |
Guinea-Bissau * | 60.4 | 2014 | 45.6 | 2014 | 19.5 | 2014 | 0.7 | 2014 |
Guyana * | 96.7 | 2014 | 85.6 | 2014 | 49.9 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Haiti * | 72.3 | 2006 | 48.7 | 2006 | 8.5 | 2006 | 0.9 | 2006 |
Holy See | ||||||||
Honduras * | 96.1 | 2016 | 89.0 | 2016 | 66.3 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Hungary * | 98.8 | 2014 | 99.1 | 2014 | 99.1 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Iceland * | ||||||||
India * | 95.7 | 2018 | 75.4 | 2018 | 45.4 | 2018 | 0.97 | 2018 |
Indonesia * | 99.7 | 2016 | 95.4 | 2016 | 70.1 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Iran * | 98.1 | 2016 | 85.5 | 2016 | 36.8 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Iraq * | 93.5 | 2017 | 85.6 | 2017 | 20.4 | 2013 | 0.9 | 2013 |
Ireland * | ||||||||
Isle of Man * | ||||||||
Israel * | 98.6 | 1983 | 91.8 | 1983 | 79.8 | 1983 | 1.0 | 1983 |
Italy * | 99.9 | 2011 | 98.8 | 2011 | 96.7 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Jamaica * | 96.3 | 2014 | 88.1 | 2014 | 66.6 | 2014 | 1.1 | 2014 |
Japan * | ||||||||
Jordan * | 99.1 | 2012 | 97.9 | 2012 | 87.7 | 2012 | 1.0 | 2012 |
Kazakhstan * | 99.9 | 2010 | 99.8 | 2010 | 99.5 | 2010 | 1.0 | 2010 |
Kenya * | 86.5 | 2014 | 78.7 | 2014 | 54.0 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Kiribati * | ||||||||
North Korea * | 100.0 | 2008 | 100.0 | 2008 | 100.0 | 2008 | 1.0 | 2008 |
South Korea * | ||||||||
Kuwait * | 99.2 | 2017 | 96.1 | 2018 | 69.5 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2017 |
Kyrgyzstan * | 99.8 | 2009 | 99.2 | 2009 | 92.5 | 2009 | 1.0 | 2009 |
Laos * | 92.5 | 2015 | 84.7 | 2015 | 58.6 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2015 |
Latvia * | 99.8 | 2011 | 99.9 | 2011 | 99.9 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Lebanon * | 99.2 | 2009 | 91.2 | 2009 | 60.2 | 2009 | 1.0 | 2009 |
Lesotho * | 86.6 | 2014 | 76.6 | 2014 | 51.4 | 2014 | 1.2 | 2014 |
Liberia * | 49.1 | 2007 | 42.9 | 2007 | 32.8 | 2007 | 0.6 | 2007 |
Libya * | 99.6 | 2004 | 86.1 | 2004 | 24.2 | 2004 | 1.0 | 2004 |
Liechtenstein * | ||||||||
Lithuania * | 99.9 | 2011 | 99.8 | 2011 | 99.8 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Luxembourg * | ||||||||
Madagascar * | 76.8 | 2012 | 71.6 | 2012 | 49.4 | 2012 | 1.0 | 2012 |
Malawi * | 72.9 | 2015 | 62.1 | 2015 | 35.1 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2015 |
Malaysia * | 98.2 | 2001 | 89.5 | 2001 | 47.1 | 2001 | 1.0 | 2001 |
Maldives * | 99.3 | 2014 | 98.6 | 2014 | 92.8 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Mali * | 49.4 | 2015 | 33.1 | 2015 | 13.6 | 2015 | 0.6 | 2015 |
Malta * | 98.9 | 2011 | 93.3 | 2011 | 85.8 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Marshall Islands * | 98.5 | 2011 | 98.3 | 2011 | 89.4 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Martinique | 99.8 | 2014 | 96.9 | 2014 | 88.1 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Mauritania * | 56.1 | 2007 | 45.5 | 2007 | 26.6 | 2007 | 0.7 | 2007 |
Mauritius * | 98.1 | 2011 | 93.2 | 2016 | 64.6 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Mayotte | ||||||||
Mexico * | 99.1 | 2016 | 94.9 | 2016 | 78.9 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Micronesia * | ||||||||
Monaco * | ||||||||
Mongolia * | 98.5 | 2010 | 98.3 | 2010 | 94.6 | 2010 | 1.0 | 2010 |
Montenegro * | 99.2 | 2011 | 98.4 | 2011 | 93.9 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Montserrat * | ||||||||
Morocco * | 97.7 [9] | 2018 | 73.8 [9] | 2018 | 34.1 [9] | 2018 | 0.99 [10] | 2018 |
Mozambique * | 70.5 | 2015 | 56.0 | 2015 | 26.0 | 2015 | 0.8 | 2015 |
Myanmar * | 84.8 | 2016 | 75.6 | 2016 | 58.2 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Namibia * | 94.4 | 2011 | 88.3 | 2011 | 56.7 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Nauru * | ||||||||
Nepal * | 84.8 | 2011 | 68 | 2018 | 20.8 | 2011 | 0.9 | 2011 |
Netherlands * | ||||||||
New Caledonia | 99.2 | 2014 | 97.8 | 2014 | 90.6 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
New Zealand * | ||||||||
Nicaragua * | 87.0 | 2005 | 78.0 | 2005 | 49.2 | 2005 | 1.0 | 2005 |
Niger * | 39.8 | 2012 | 30.6 | 2012 | 13.7 | 2012 | 0.7 | 2012 |
Nigeria * | 66.4 | 2008 | 51.1 | 2008 | 21.6 | 2008 | 0.8 | 2008 |
Niue * | ||||||||
North Macedonia * | 98.7 | 2002 | 96.1 | 2002 | 82.5 | 2002 | 1.0 | 2002 |
Northern Mariana Islands * | ||||||||
Norway * | ||||||||
Oman * | 98.7 | 2017 | 96.1 | 2017 | 41.9 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2017 |
Pakistan * | 74.5 | 2017 | 59.1 | 2017 | 27.1 | 2017 | 0.83 | 2017 |
Palau * | 98.7 | 2015 | 96.6 | 2015 | 84.7 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2015 |
Palestine * | 88 [11] | 2020 | 97 [11] | 2019 | 63.9 | 2016 | 1.13 [11] | 2016 |
Panama * | 97.6 | 2010 | 94.1 | 2010 | 80.9 | 2010 | 1.0 | 2010 |
Papua New Guinea * | 67.9 | 2010 | 61.6 | 2010 | 33.0 | 2010 | 1.1 | 2010 |
Paraguay * | 98.5 | 2016 | 94.7 | 2016 | 77.8 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Peru * | 98.9 | 2016 | 94.1 | 2017 | 77.7 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Philippines * | 98.1 | 2013 | 96.4 | 2013 | 90.1 | 2013 | 1.0 | 2013 |
Pitcairn Islands | ||||||||
Poland * | 99.8 | 2008 | 98.7 | 2008 | 93.0 | 2008 | 1.0 | 2008 |
Portugal * | 99.4 | 2011 | 94.5 | 2011 | 80.5 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Puerto Rico * | 98.8 | 2010 | 92.4 | 2017 | 84.5 | 2010 | 1.0 | 2010 |
Qatar * | 95.9 | 2004 | 89.0 | 2004 | 41.0 | 2004 | 1.0 | 2004 |
Moldova * | 99.5 | 2012 | 99.1 | 2012 | 95.8 | 2012 | 1.0 | 2012 |
Romania * | 99.0 | 2011 | 98.6 | 2011 | 96.8 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Russia * | 99.7 | 2010 | 99.7 | 2010 | 99.2 | 2010 | 1.0 | 2010 |
Rwanda * | 85.1 | 2014 | 70.8 | 2014 | 24.3 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Réunion | 95.7 | 1982 | 78.6 | 1982 | 42.0 | 1982 | 1.0 | 1982 |
Saint Helena * | 96.0 | 1998 | ||||||
Saint Kitts and Nevis * | ||||||||
Saint Lucia * | ||||||||
Saint Pierre and Miquelon | 99.5 | 1982 | 99.3 | 1982 | 98.5 | 1982 | 1.0 | 1982 |
Saint Martin | ||||||||
Samoa * | 99.2 | 2011 | 99.0 | 2011 | 96.3 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
San Marino * | ||||||||
São Tomé and Príncipe * | 96.7 | 2012 | 90.1 | 2012 | 49.6 | 2012 | 1.0 | 2012 |
Saudi Arabia * | 99.2 | 2013 | 94.4 | 2013 | 51.4 | 2013 | 1.0 | 2013 |
Senegal * | 69.5 | 2017 | 51.9 | 2017 | 21.5 | 2013 | 0.8 | 2017 |
Serbia * | 99.7 | 2016 | 98.8 | 2016 | 96.6 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Seychelles | 99.0 | 2010 | 94.0 | 2010 | 71.5 | 2010 | 1.0 | 2010 |
Sierra Leone * | 57.0 | 2013 | 32.4 | 2013 | 3.7 | 2013 | 0.8 | 2013 |
Singapore * | 99.9 | 2016 | 97.0 | 2016 | 84.0 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Sint Maarten | ||||||||
Slovakia * | ||||||||
Slovenia * | 99.8 | 2014 | 99.7 | 2014 | 99.3 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Solomon Islands * | 76.6 | 1999 | ||||||
Somalia * | ||||||||
South Africa * | 99.0 | 2015 | 94.4 | 2015 | 72.1 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2015 |
South Sudan * | 36.7 | 2008 | 26.8 | 2008 | 11.0 | 2008 | 0.7 | 2008 |
Spain * | 99.6 | 2016 | 98.3 | 2016 | 94.7 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Sri Lanka * | 98.9 | 2017 | 91.9 | 2017 | 81.0 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2017 |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines * | 98.0 | 1970 | 95.6 | 1970 | 91.0 | 1970 | 1.0 | 1970 |
Sudan * | 65.8 | 2008 | 53.5 | 2008 | 24.3 | 2008 | 0.9 | 2008 |
Suriname * | 97.7 | 2012 | 92.9 | 2012 | 76.0 | 2012 | 1.0 | 2012 |
Svalbard and Jan Mayen | ||||||||
Sweden * | ||||||||
Switzerland * | ||||||||
Syria | 92.5 | 2004 | 80.8 | 2004 | 39.0 | 2004 | 1.0 | 2004 |
Tajikistan * | 99.9 | 2014 | 99.8 | 2014 | 98.1 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Tanzania * | 85.8 | 2015 | 77.9 | 2015 | 43.5 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2015 |
Thailand * | 98.1 | 2015 | 92.9 | 2015 | 78.7 | 2015 | 1.0 | 2015 |
East Timor * | 79.5 | 2010 | 58.3 | 2010 | 11.2 | 2010 | 1.0 | 2010 |
Togo * | 84.3 | 2015 | 63.7 | 2015 | 20.4 | 2015 | 0.9 | 2015 |
Tokelau * | ||||||||
Tonga * | 99.4 | 2011 | 99.4 | 2011 | 98.9 | 2011 | 1.0 | 2011 |
Trinidad and Tobago * | 99.3 | 1990 | 96.9 | 1990 | 82.8 | 1990 | 1.0 | 1990 |
Tunisia * | 96.2 | 2014 | 79.0 | 2014 | 39.8 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Turkey * | 99.6 | 2016 | 96.2 | 2016 | 88.1 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Turkmenistan * | 99.8 | 2014 | 99.7 | 2014 | 97.6 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Turks and Caicos Islands | ||||||||
Tuvalu * | ||||||||
Uganda * | 83.7 | 2012 | 70.2 | 2012 | 36.1 | 2012 | 1.0 | 2012 |
Ukraine * | 100.0 | 2012 | 100.0 | 2012 | 100.0 | 2012 | 1.0 | 2012 |
United Arab Emirates * | 95.0 | 2005 | 90.0 | 2005 | 42.1 | 2005 | 1.0 | 2005 |
United Kingdom * | ||||||||
United States * | ||||||||
U.S. Virgin Islands * | ||||||||
Uruguay * | 98.9 | 2017 | 98.6 | 2017 | 97.1 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2017 |
Uzbekistan * | 100.0 | 2016 | 100.0 | 2016 | 99.8 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Vanuatu * | 95.3 | 2014 | 84.7 | 2014 | 44.2 | 2014 | 1.0 | 2014 |
Venezuela * | 98.8 | 2016 | 97.1 | 2016 | 88.1 | 2016 | 1.0 | 2016 |
Vietnam * | 97.1 | 2009 | 95.8 | 2019 | 76.9 | 2009 | 1.0 | 2009 |
Wallis and Futuna | ||||||||
Western Sahara | ||||||||
Yemen * | 77.0 | 2004 | 54.1 | 2004 | 13.7 | 2004 | 0.7 | 2004 |
Zambia * | 88.7 | 2010 | 83.0 | 2010 | 52.3 | 2010 | 0.9 | 2010 |
Zimbabwe * | 90.4 | 2014 | 88.7 | 2014 | 81.1 | 2014 | 1.1 | 2014 |
"*"indicates "Literacy in country or territory" or "Education in country or territory" links.
Country | Literacy rate [12] [13] [ text–source integrity? ] | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Male | Female | Gender gap | Year | |
Afghanistan * | 37.3% | 52.1% | 22.6% | 29.5% | 2021 |
Albania * | 98.1% | 98.5% | 97.8% | 0.7% | 2018 |
Algeria * | 81.4% | 87.4% | 75.3% | 12.1% | 2018 |
Andorra * | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% | 2016 |
Angola * | 71.1% | 82.0% | 60.7% | 21.3% | 2015 |
Antigua and Barbuda * | 99.0% | 98.4% | 99.4% | 1.0% | 2015 |
Argentina * | 99.0% | 98.9% | 99.1% | 0.2% | 2018 |
Armenia * | 99.8% | 99.8% | 99.7% | 0.1% | 2020 |
Australia * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Austria * | 98.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Azerbaijan * | 99.8% | 99.9% | 99.7% | 0.2% | 2019 |
Bahamas | 96.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Bahrain * | 97.5% | 99.9% | 94.9% | 5.0% | 2018 |
Bangladesh * | 74.66% | 76.56% | 72.82% | 3.72% | 2022 [14] |
Barbados * | 99.6% | 99.6% | 99.6% | 0.0% | 2014 |
Belarus * | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% | 0.0% | 2019 |
Belgium * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Belize * | 83.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Benin * | 42.4% | 54.0% | 31.1% | 22.9% | 2018 |
Bhutan * | 66.6% | 75.0% | 57.1% | 17.9% | 2017 |
Bolivia * | 92.5% | 96.5% | 88.6% | 7.9% | 2015 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina * | 98.5% | 99.5% | 97.5% | 2.0% | 2015 |
Botswana * | 88.5% | 88.0% | 88.9% | 0.9% | 2015 |
Brazil * | 93.2% | 93.0% | 93.4% | 0.4% | 2018 |
Brunei * | 97.2% | 98.1% | 93.4% | 4.7% | 2018 |
Bulgaria * | 98.4% | 98.7% | 98.1% | 0.6% | 2015 |
Burkina Faso * | 39.3% | 49.2% | 31.0% | 18.2% | 2018 |
Burundi * | 68.4% | 76.3% | 61.2% | 15.1% | 2017 |
Cape Verde * | 86.8% | 91.7% | 82.0% | 9.7% | 2015 |
Cambodia * | 80.5% | 86.5% | 75.0% | 11.5% | 2015 |
Cameroon * | 77.1% | 82.6% | 71.6% | 11.0% | 2018 |
Canada * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Central African Republic * | 37.4% | 49.5% | 25.8% | 23.7% | 2018 |
Chad * | 22.3% | 31.3% | 14.0% | 17.3% | 2016 |
Chile * | 96.3% | 96.3% | 96.3% | 0.0% | 2017 |
China * | 96.8% | 98.5% | 95.2% | 3.3% | 2018 |
Colombia * | 95.6% | 95.4% | 95.9% | 0.5% | 2020 |
Comoros * | 58.8% | 64.6% | 53.0% | 11.6% | 2018 |
Congo * | 80.3% | 86.1% | 74.6% | 11.5% | 2018 |
DR Congo * | 77.0% | 88.5% | 66.5% | 22.0% | 2016 |
Costa Rica * | 97.9% | 97.8% | 97.9% | 0.1% | 2018 |
Ivory Coast * | 89.9% | 93.1% | 86.7% | 6.4% | 2019 |
Croatia * | 99.3% | 99.7% | 98.9% | 0.8% | 2015 |
Cuba * | 99.8% | 99.9% | 99.8% | 0.1% | 2015 |
Cyprus * | 99.1% | 99.5% | 98.7% | 0.8% | 2015 |
Czech Republic * | 99.0% | 99.0% | 99.0% | 0.0% | 2011 |
Denmark * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Djibouti * | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Dominica * | 92.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Dominican Republic * | 93.8% | 93.8% | 93.8% | 0.0% | 2016 |
Ecuador * | 93.6% | 94.8% | 92.5% | 2.3% | 2020 |
Egypt * | 71.2% | 76.5% | 65.5% | 11.0% | 2017 |
El Salvador * | 89.1% | 91.3% | 87.3% | 4.0% | 2019 |
Equatorial Guinea * | 95.3% | 97.4% | 93.0% | 4.4% | 2015 |
Eritrea * | 76.6% | 84.4% | 68.9% | 15.5% | 2018 |
Estonia * | 99.8% | 99.8% | 99.8% | 0.0% | 2015 |
Ethiopia * | 51.8% | 57.2% | 44.4% | 12.8% | 2017 |
Fiji * | 99.1% | 99.1% | 99.1% | 0.0% | 2018 |
Finland * | 100.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
France * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Gabon * | 84.7% | 85.9% | 83.4% | 2.5% | 2018 |
Gambia * | 50.8% | 61.8% | 41.6% | 20.2% | 2015 |
Georgia * | 99.6% | 99.7% | 99.5% | 0.2% | 2019 |
Germany * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Ghana * | 79.0% | 83.5% | 74.5% | 9.0% | 2018 |
Greece * | 97.9% | 98.5% | 97.4% | 1.1% | 2018 |
Grenada * | 98.6% | 98.6% | 98.6% | 0.0% | 2014 |
Guatemala * | 80.8% | 85.3% | 76.7% | 8.6% | 2018 |
Guinea * | 39.6% | 54.4% | 27.7% | 26.7% | 2018 |
Guinea-Bissau * | 59.9% | 71.8% | 48.3% | 23.5% | 2015 |
Guyana * | 88.5% | 87.2% | 89.8% | 2.6% | 2015 |
Haiti * | 61.7% | 65.3% | 58.3% | 7.0% | 2016 |
Honduras * | 88.5% | 88.2% | 88.7% | 0.5% | 2019 |
Hungary * | 99.1% | 99.1% | 99.0% | 0.1% | 2015 |
Iceland * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
India * | 74.4% | 82.4% | 65.8% | 16.6% | 2018 |
Indonesia * | 96.0% | 97.4% | 94.6% | 2.8% | 2020 |
Iran * | 85.5% | 90.4% | 80.8% | 9.6% | 2016 |
Iraq * | 85.6% | 91.2% | 79.9% | 11.3% | 2017 |
Ireland * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Israel * | 97.8% | 98.7% | 96.8% | 1.9% | 2011 |
Italy * | 99.2% | 99.4% | 99.0% | 0.4% | 2018 |
Jamaica * | 88.7% | 84.0% | 93.1% | 9.1% | 2015 |
Japan * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Jordan * | 98.2% | 98.6% | 97.8% | 0.8% | 2018 |
Kazakhstan * | 99.8% | 99.8% | 99.7% | 0.1% | 2018 |
Kenya * | 81.5% | 85.0% | 78.2% | 6.8% | 2018 |
Kiribati * | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
North Korea * | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% | 2015 |
South Korea * | 98.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Kuwait * | 96.5% | 97.1% | 95.4% | 1.7% | 2020 |
Kyrgyzstan * | 99.6% | 99.7% | 99.5% | 0.2% | 2018 |
Laos * | 84.7% | 90.0% | 79.4% | 10.6% | 2015 |
Latvia * | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% | 0.0% | 2018 |
Lebanon * | 95.1% | 96.9% | 93.3% | 3.6% | 2018 |
Lesotho * | 79.4% | 70.1% | 88.3% | 18.2% | 2015 |
Liberia * | 48.3% | 62.7% | 34.1% | 28.6% | 2017 |
Libya * | 91.0% | 96.7% | 85.6% | 11.1% | 2015 |
Liechtenstein * | 100.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Lithuania * | 99.8% | 99.8% | 99.8% | 0.0% | 2015 |
Luxembourg * | 100.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Madagascar * | 76.7% | 78.4% | 75.1% | 3.3% | 2018 |
Malawi * | 62.1% | 69.8% | 55.2% | 14.6% | 2015 |
Malaysia * | 95.0% | 96.2% | 93.6% | 2.6% | 2019 |
Maldives * | 97.7% | 97.3% | 98.1% | 0.8% | 2016 |
Mali * | 35.5% | 46.2% | 25.7% | 20.5% | 2018 |
Malta * | 94.5% | 93.0% | 96.0% | 3.0% | 2018 |
Marshall Islands * | 98.3% | 98.3% | 98.2% | 0.1% | 2011 |
Mauritania * | 53.5% | 63.7% | 43.4% | 20.3% | 2017 |
Mauritius * | 91.3% | 93.4% | 89.4% | 4.0% | 2018 |
Mexico * | 95.2% | 96.1% | 94.5% | 1.6% | 2020 |
Micronesia * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Moldova * | 99.4% | 99.7% | 99.1% | 0.6% | 2015 |
Monaco * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Mongolia * | 99.2% | 99.1% | 99.2% | 0.1% | 2020 |
Montenegro * | 98.8% | 99.5% | 98.3% | 1.2% | 2018 |
Morocco * | 73.8% | 83.3% | 64.6% | 18.7% | 2018 |
Mozambique * | 60.7% | 72.6% | 50.3% | 22.3% | 2017 |
Myanmar * | 89.1% | 92.4% | 86.3% | 6.1% | 2019 |
Namibia * | 91.5% | 91.6% | 91.4% | 0.2% | 2018 |
Nauru * | 95.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Nepal * | 67.9% | 78.6% | 59.7% | 18.9% | 2018 |
Netherlands * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
New Zealand * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Nicaragua * | 82.6% | 82.4% | 82.8% | 0.4% | 2015 |
Niger * | 35.1% | 43.6% | 26.7% | 16.9% | 2018 |
Nigeria * | 62.0% | 71.3% | 52.7% | 18.6% | 2018 |
North Macedonia * | 98.4% | 99.1% | 97.6% | 1.5% | 2020 |
Norway * | 100.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Oman * | 95.7% | 97.0% | 92.7% | 4.3% | 2018 |
Pakistan * | 58.0% | 69.3% | 46.5% | 22.8% | 2019 |
Palau * | 96.6% | 96.8% | 96.3% | 0.5% | 2015 |
Panama * | 95.7% | 98.8% | 95.4% | 3.4% | 2019 |
Papua New Guinea * | 64.2% | 65.6% | 62.8% | 2.8% | 2015 |
Paraguay * | 94.5% | 94.9% | 94.2% | 0.7% | 2020 |
Peru * | 94.5% | 97.0% | 92.0% | 5.0% | 2020 |
Philippines * | 96.3% | 95.7% | 96.9% | 1.2% | 2019 |
Poland * | 99.8% | 99.9% | 99.7% | 0.2% | 2015 |
Portugal * | 96.1% | 97.4% | 95.1% | 2.3% | 2018 |
Palestine * | 97% [11] | 99% | 96% | 3% | 2019 |
Qatar * | 93.5% | 92.4% | 94.7% | 2.3% | 2017 |
Romania * | 98.8% | 99.1% | 98.6% | 0.5% | 2018 |
Russia * | 99.7% | 99.7% | 99.7% | 0.0% | 2018 |
Rwanda * | 73.2% | 77.6% | 69.4% | 8.2% | 2018 |
Saint Kitts and Nevis * | 97.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Saint Lucia * | 90.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines * | 96.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Samoa * | 99.1% | 99.0% | 99.2% | 0.2% | 2018 |
San Marino * | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% | 0.0% | 2018 |
São Tomé and Príncipe * | 92.8% | 96.2% | 89.5% | 6.7% | 2018 |
Saudi Arabia * | 97.6% | 98.6% | 96.0% | 2.6% | 2020 |
Senegal * | 51.9% | 64.8% | 39.8% | 25.0% | 2017 |
Serbia * | 99.5% | 99.9% | 99.1% | 0.8% | 2019 |
Seychelles | 95.9% | 95.4% | 96.4% | 1.0% | 2018 |
Sierra Leone * | 43.2% | 51.6% | 39.8% | 11.8% | 2018 |
Singapore * | 97.5% | 98.9% | 96.1% | 2.8% | 2019 |
Slovakia * | 100.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Slovenia * | 99.7% | 99.7% | 99.7% | 0.0% | 2015 |
Solomon Islands * | 77.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Somalia * | 39.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
South Africa * | 95.0% | 95.5% | 94.5% | 1.0% | 2019 |
South Sudan * | 34.5% | 40.3% | 28.9% | 11.4% | 2018 |
Spain * | 98.6% | 99.0% | 98.2% | 0.8% | 2020 |
Sri Lanka * | 92.3% | 93.0% | 91.6% | 1.4% | 2019 |
Sudan * | 60.7% | 65.4% | 56.1% | 9.3% | 2018 |
Suriname * | 94.4% | 96.1% | 92.7% | 3.4% | 2018 |
Eswatini * | 88.4% | 88.3% | 88.5% | 0.2% | 2018 |
Sweden * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Switzerland * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Syria * | 86.4% | 91.7% | 81.0% | 10.7% | 2015 |
Taiwan * | 98.70% | 99.73% | 97.69% | 2.05% | 2017 |
Tajikistan * | 99.8% | 99.8% | 99.7% | 0.1% | 2015 |
Tanzania * | 77.9% | 83.2% | 73.1% | 10.1% | 2015 |
Thailand * | 93.8% | 95.2% | 92.4% | 2.8% | 2018 |
East Timor * | 68.1% | 71.9% | 64.2% | 7.7% | 2018 |
Togo * | 66.5% | 80.0% | 55.1% | 24.9% | 2019 |
Tonga * | 99.4% | 99.4% | 99.5% | 0.1% | 2018 |
Trinidad and Tobago * | 99.0% | 99.2% | 98.7% | 0.5% | 2015 |
Tunisia * | 81.8% | 89.6% | 74.2% | 15.4% | 2015 |
Turkey * | 96.7% | 99.1% | 94.4% | 4.7% | 2019 |
Turkmenistan * | 99.7% | 99.8% | 99.6% | 0.2% | 2015 |
Tuvalu * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Uganda * | 76.5% | 82.7% | 70.8% | 11.9% | 2018 |
Ukraine * | 99.8% | 99.8% | 99.7% | 0.1% | 2015 |
United Arab Emirates * | 97.6% | 98.0% | 96.9% | 1.1% | 2019 |
United Kingdom * | 99.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
United States * | 86.0% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Uruguay * | 98.8% | 98.5% | 99.0% | 0.5% | 2019 |
Uzbekistan * | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% | 2019 |
Vanuatu * | 87.5% | 88.3% | 86.7% | 1.6% | 2018 |
Venezuela * | 97.1% | 97.0% | 97.2% | 0.2% | 2016 |
Vietnam * | 95.8% | 97.0% | 94.6% | 2.4% | 2019 |
Yemen * | 70.1% | 85.1% | 55.0% | 30.1% | 2015 |
Zambia * | 86.7% | 90.6% | 83.1% | 7.5% | 2018 |
Zimbabwe * | 86.5% | 88.5% | 84.6% | 3.9% | 2015 |
World | 86.7% | 90.1% | 83.3% | 6.8% | 2020 |
Territory | Literacy rate (all) | Male literacy | Female literacy | Gender difference [a] | Year | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aruba | 97.5% | 97.5% | 97.5% | 0.0% | 2015 [1] | A constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. |
Cayman Islands | 98.9% | 98.7% | 99.0% | −0.3% | 2007 [1] | An overseas territory of the United Kingdom. |
Guadeloupe | 96.5% | 96.4% | 96.6% | −0.2% | 2015 [1] | Overseas region/department of France. |
Guam | 99.8% | 99.8% | 99.8% | 0.0% | 2015 [1] | An unincorporated and organized territory of the United States. |
Kosovo | 91.9% | 96.6% | 87.5% | 9.1% | 2003 [2] | Member of two UN specialized agencies (World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund). It is claimed by Serbia. |
Macau | 96.2% | 98.0% | 94.6% | 3.4% | 2015 [1] | A special administrative region of China. |
Martinique | 97.0% | 97.6% | 96.4% | 1.2% | 2015 [1] | Overseas region/department of France. |
New Caledonia | 96.9% | 97.3% | 96.5% | 0.8% | 2015 [1] | Overseas region/department of France. |
Puerto Rico | 93.3% | 92.8% | 93.8% | −1.0% | 2015 [1] | Unincorporated territory of the United States. |
Réunion | 93.9% | 93.2% | 94.5% | −1.3% | 2015 [1] | Overseas region/department of France. |
The economy of Burkina Faso is based primarily on subsistence farming and livestock raising. Burkina Faso has an average income purchasing-power-parity per capita of $1,900 and nominal per capita of $790 in 2014. More than 80% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture with only a small fraction directly involved in industry and services. Highly variable rainfall, poor soils, lack of adequate communications and other infrastructure, a low literacy rate, and a stagnant economy are all longstanding problems of this landlocked country. The export economy also remained subject to fluctuations in world prices.
Haiti is the 83rd most populous country in the world, with an estimated population of 11,123,178 as of July 2018. The last national census in Haiti was done in 2003. Although much of that data has not been released, the population recorded was 8,812,245.
Literacy is the ability to read and write. Some researchers suggest that the study of "literacy" as a concept can be divided into two periods: the period before 1950, when literacy was understood solely as alphabetical literacy ; and the period after 1950, when literacy slowly began to be considered as a wider concept and process, including the social and cultural aspects of reading and writing and functional literacy.
This is a demography of the population of East Timor including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
Numeracy is the ability to understand, reason with, and apply simple numerical concepts. The charity National Numeracy states: "Numeracy means understanding how mathematics is used in the real world and being able to apply it to make the best possible decisions...It's as much about thinking and reasoning as about 'doing sums'". Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental arithmetical operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. For example, if one can understand simple mathematical equations such as 2 + 2 = 4, then one would be considered to possess at least basic numeric knowledge. Substantial aspects of numeracy also include number sense, operation sense, computation, measurement, geometry, probability and statistics. A numerically literate person can manage and respond to the mathematical demands of life.
Literacy in India is a key for social-economic progress. The 2011 census, indicated a 2001–2011 literacy growth of 97.2%, which is slower than the growth seen during the previous decade. An old analytical 1990 study estimated that it would take until 2060 for India to achieve universal literacy at then-current rate of progress.
These are the international rankings of Pakistan.
The State of Kuwait, located at the head of the Persian Gulf, supports an educational policy that seeks to provide an opportunity to all children, irrespective of their social class, including children with special needs. Kuwait was ranked 63rd on the Human Development Index report for 2011 by the United Nations Development Programme, placing Kuwait above the regional average.
The education system of Djibouti is strongly influenced by Arabs and France's colonial empire.
There have been major strides with Education in Equatorial Guinea over the past ten years, although there is still room for improvement. Among sub-Saharan African countries, Equatorial Guinea has one of the highest literacy rates. According to The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency as of 2015, 95.3% of the population age 15 and over can read and write in Equatorial Guinea were respectively literate. Education in Equatorial Guinea is overseen by the Ministry of Education and Science (MEC). Split into four levels, preschool, primary, secondary, and higher education, the Equatorial Guinea's educational system only deems preschool and primary school mandatory. Education in Equatorial Guinea is free and compulsory until the age of 14. Although it has a high GNI per capita, which, as of 2018, was 18,170 international dollars, its educational outcomes fall behind those of the rest of West and Central Africa. In 1993, the gross primary enrollment rate was 149.7 percent, and the net primary enrollment rate was 83.4 percent. Late entry into the school system and high dropout rates are common, and girls are more likely than boys to drop out of school. As of 2015, the net enrollment rates for each education level are as follows: 42 percent for preschool, between 60 percent and 86 percent for primary school, and 43.6 percent for secondary school. UNESCO has cited several issues with the current educational system, including poor nutrition, low quality of teachers, and lack of adequate facilities.
UNESCO defined the Gender Parity Index (GPI) as a socioeconomic index usually designed to measure the relative access to education of males and females. It is used by international organizations particularly in measuring the progress of developing countries. For example, some UNESCO documents consider gender parity in literacy.
The following are international rankings of Cuba.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is the statistical office of UNESCO and is the UN depository for cross-nationally comparable statistics on education, science and technology, culture, and communication.
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