The statistic depicts the literacy rate in Mexico from 2008 to 2020. The literacy rate measures the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can read and write. In 2020, Mexico's literacy rate was around 95.25 percent. The source does not provide data for 2019.Education in MexicoThe literacy rate is commonly defined as the share of people in a country who are older than 15 years and are able to read and write. In Mexico, a state with more than 115 million inhabitants, the literacy rate is above 90 percent, making it significantly higher than the global average. More than 70 percent of Mexico’s population is older than 15 years, a figure than has been quite consistent over the last ten years. Mexico’s compulsory education comprises grades 1 to 9, with an optional secondary education up to grade 12. Literacy is considered basic education. The lowest literacy rates can be found in African countries, the highest in Europe. Additionally, the literacy rate is one of the factors that determines a country’s ranking on the Human Development Index of the United Nations, which ranks the overall well-being of a country’s population. Apart from literacy, it also includes factors such as per-capita income, health and life expectancy and others. Mexico is currently not among the countries with the highest Human Development Index value.

The rate of adult literacy as share of the country's population 15 years and above in Mexico was 95 percent in 2020. Between 1980 and 2020, the rate of adult literacy rose by 12 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

Historical dataset showing Mexico literacy rate by year from 1980 to 2020.

As of March 2020, around 4.46 million Mexicans over 15 years of age were unable to write or read, approximately 4.74 percent. Mexico State, the federal entity with the highest share of the population, also registered the highest number of literate people with over 12 million.

Mexico: Female literacy rate, ages 15-24: The latest value from 2022 is 99.17 percent, an increase from 99.1 percent in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 90.04 percent, based on data from 65 countries. Historically, the average for Mexico from 1980 to 2022 is 97.92 percent. The minimum value, 91 percent, was reached in 1980 while the maximum of 99.17 percent was recorded in 2022.

Literacy: Mexico City data was reported at 7,547,545.000 Person in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 6,715,516.000 Person for 2010. Literacy: Mexico City data is updated yearly, averaging 6,176,802.500 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,547,545.000 Person in 2020 and a record low of 5,556,827.000 Person in 1980. Literacy: Mexico City data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.

Mexico: Male literacy rate, ages 15-24: The latest value from 2022 is 98.74 percent, a decline from 98.83 percent in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 91.06 percent, based on data from 65 countries. Historically, the average for Mexico from 1980 to 2022 is 97.96 percent. The minimum value, 93 percent, was reached in 1980 while the maximum of 99 percent was recorded in 2009.

Mexico Literacy: Chiapas data was reported at 3,745,908.000 Person in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,095,133.000 Person for 2010. Mexico Literacy: Chiapas data is updated yearly, averaging 2,182,469.500 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,745,908.000 Person in 2020 and a record low of 1,128,973.000 Person in 1980. Mexico Literacy: Chiapas data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.

Mexico Literacy: Literate data was reported at 89,320,723.000 Person in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 72,425,081.000 Person for 2010. Mexico Literacy: Literate data is updated yearly, averaging 54,609,917.000 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 89,320,723.000 Person in 2020 and a record low of 31,475,670.000 Person in 1980. Mexico Literacy: Literate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.

Mexico Literacy: Iliterate data was reported at 4,456,431.000 Person in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5,393,665.000 Person for 2010. Mexico Literacy: Iliterate data is updated yearly, averaging 6,051,876.500 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,451,740.000 Person in 1980 and a record low of 4,456,431.000 Person in 2020. Mexico Literacy: Iliterate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.

Literacy: Literate: Mexico data was reported at 12,458,140.000 Person in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 10,101,748.000 Person for 2010. Literacy: Literate: Mexico data is updated yearly, averaging 7,396,521.000 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12,458,140.000 Person in 2020 and a record low of 3,609,060.000 Person in 1980. Literacy: Literate: Mexico data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.

Mexico Literacy: Hidalgo data was reported at 2,288,217.000 Person in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,854,450.000 Person for 2010. Mexico Literacy: Hidalgo data is updated yearly, averaging 1,372,133.000 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,288,217.000 Person in 2020 and a record low of 851,019.000 Person in 1980. Mexico Literacy: Hidalgo data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.

Literacy: Iliterate: Mexico data was reported at 372,454.000 Person in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 466,067.000 Person for 2010. Literacy: Iliterate: Mexico data is updated yearly, averaging 534,075.000 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 569,298.000 Person in 1980 and a record low of 372,454.000 Person in 2020. Literacy: Iliterate: Mexico data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.

Mexico Literacy: Iliterate: Guerrero data was reported at 310,327.000 Person in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 374,327.000 Person for 2010. Mexico Literacy: Iliterate: Guerrero data is updated yearly, averaging 395,404.000 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 413,869.000 Person in 1995 and a record low of 310,327.000 Person in 2020. Mexico Literacy: Iliterate: Guerrero data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.

Mexico Literacy: Literate: Tlaxcala data was reported at 940,111.000 Person in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 759,780.000 Person for 2010. Mexico Literacy: Literate: Tlaxcala data is updated yearly, averaging 539,432.500 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 940,111.000 Person in 2020 and a record low of 254,752.000 Person in 1980. Mexico Literacy: Literate: Tlaxcala data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.

Mexico Literacy: Iliterate: Baja California Sur data was reported at 13,926.000 Person in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 14,425.000 Person for 2010. Mexico Literacy: Iliterate: Baja California Sur data is updated yearly, averaging 12,069.000 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14,425.000 Person in 2010 and a record low of 9,191.000 Person in 1980. Mexico Literacy: Iliterate: Baja California Sur data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.

Mexico Literacy: San Luis Potosi data was reported at 2,093,875.000 Person in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,775,954.000 Person for 2010. Mexico Literacy: San Luis Potosi data is updated yearly, averaging 1,400,519.000 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,093,875.000 Person in 2020 and a record low of 916,084.000 Person in 1980. Mexico Literacy: San Luis Potosi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.

Mexico Literacy: Literate: Quintana Roo data was reported at 1,333,299.000 Person in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 864,030.000 Person for 2010. Mexico Literacy: Literate: Quintana Roo data is updated yearly, averaging 457,035.500 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,333,299.000 Person in 2020 and a record low of 102,411.000 Person in 1980. Mexico Literacy: Literate: Quintana Roo data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.

Mexico Literacy: Literate: Sonora data was reported at 2,168,691.000 Person in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,804,079.000 Person for 2010. Mexico Literacy: Literate: Sonora data is updated yearly, averaging 1,364,414.500 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,168,691.000 Person in 2020 and a record low of 801,485.000 Person in 1980. Mexico Literacy: Literate: Sonora data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.

Mexico Literacy: Baja California Sur data was reported at 597,552.000 Person in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 449,217.000 Person for 2010. Mexico Literacy: Baja California Sur data is updated yearly, averaging 266,242.500 Person from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2020, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 597,552.000 Person in 2020 and a record low of 122,210.000 Person in 1980. Mexico Literacy: Baja California Sur data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics and Geography. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.G017: Literacy: Age 15 and Above.