In today's world, List of countries by literacy rate is a topic that has captured the attention of numerous individuals and experts in various fields. Since its emergence, List of countries by literacy rate has generated great interest and has been the subject of numerous studies, research and debates. This phenomenon has aroused both curiosity and fear in many people, since its impact on different aspects of modern life is undeniable. List of countries by literacy rate has proven to be a relevant and extremely significant topic in our contemporary society, and its influence only seems to be constantly growing. In this article, we will thoroughly explore the various facets of List of countries by literacy rate and analyze its impact in different areas, offering a comprehensive and insightful view on this topic that is so relevant today.
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). 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.
Data published by UNESCO using the following definitions:
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 | 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 * | ||||||||
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 * | 99.0 | 2015 | 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 | 2018 | 96.8 | 2018 | 73.9 | 2010 | 1.0 | 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 * | 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 | 2018 | 73.8 | 2018 | 34.1 | 2018 | 0.99 | 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 | 2020 | 97 | 2019 | 63.9 | 2016 | 1.13 | 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 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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% | 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 | Year | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aruba | 97.5% | 97.5% | 97.5% | 0.0% | 2015 | A constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. |
Cayman Islands | 98.9% | 98.7% | 99.0% | -0.3% | 2007 | An overseas territory of the United Kingdom. |
Guadeloupe | 96.5% | 96.4% | 96.6% | -0.2% | 2015 | Overseas region/department of France. |
Guam | 99.8% | 99.8% | 99.8% | 0.0% | 2015 | An unincorporated and organized territory of the United States. |
Kosovo | 91.9% | 96.6% | 87.5% | 9.1% | 2003 | 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 | A special administrative region of China. |
Martinique | 97.0% | 97.6% | 96.4% | 1.2% | 2015 | Overseas region/department of France. |
New Caledonia | 96.9% | 97.3% | 96.5% | 0.8% | 2015 | Overseas region/department of France. |
Puerto Rico | 93.3% | 92.8% | 93.8% | -1.0% | 2015 | Unincorporated territory of the United States. |
Réunion | 93.9% | 93.2% | 94.5% | -1.3% | 2015 | Overseas region/department of France. |