In the past five decades, the global literacy rate among adults has grown from 67 percent in 1976 to 87.36 percent in 2023. In 1976, males had a literacy rate of 76 percent, compared to a rate of 58 percent among females. This difference of over 17 percent in 1976 has fallen to just seven percent in 2020. Although gaps in literacy rates have fallen across all regions in recent decades, significant disparities remain across much of South Asia and Africa, while the difference is below one percent in Europe and the Americas. Reasons for these differences are rooted in economic and cultural differences across the globe. In poorer societies, families with limited means are often more likely to invest in their sons' education, while their daughters take up a more domestic role. Varieties do exist on national levels, however, and female literacy levels can sometimes exceed the male rate even in impoverished nations, such as Lesotho (where the difference was over 17 percent in 2014); nonetheless, these are exceptions to the norm.

In 2020, the adult literacy rate among the population above 15 years of age in Mongolia amounted to approximately 99.2 percent, more than in any other country in the Asia-Pacific region. Comparatively, the adult literacy rate in Afghanistan amounted to approximately 37.3 percent of the population aged 15 years and above in 2021.

There is a gender gap in the literacy rate among the youth worldwide. Although the literacy rates have increased worldwide for both young men and women between 15 and 24 years, men are on average more literate than women. As of 2023, nearly 94 percent of young men and roughly 91.7 percent of women in the world were literate. A similar picture was seen for the adult population worldwide.

Adult literacy rate of Kenya jumped by 5.27% from 78.7 % in 2014 to 82.9 % in 2022. Since the 12.00% slump in 2007, adult literacy rate surged by 14.86% in 2022. Adult (15+) literacy rate (%). Total is the percentage of the population age 15 and above who can, with understanding, read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life. Generally, ‘literacy’ also encompasses ‘numeracy’, the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations. This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of literates aged 15 years and over by the corresponding age group population and multiplying the result by 100.

Graph and download economic data for Literacy Rate, Adult Total: All Income Levels for East Asia and Pacific (SEADTLITRZSEAS) from 1976 to 2023 about East Asia, Pacific, literacy, adult, income, and rate.

Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.

Literacy, numeracy - Average scores and distribution of proficiency levels, by industry, occupation and sex, employed population aged 16-65, Canada, provinces and territories 2012.

Graph and download economic data for Literacy Rate, Adult Total: All Income Levels for Middle East and North Africa (SEADTLITRZSMEA) from 1974 to 2023 about North Africa, Middle East, literacy, adult, income, and rate.

Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.

The rate of adult literacy as share of the country's population 15 years and above in Brazil increased by 1.7 percentage points (+1.83 percent) in 2022. Therefore, the rate of adult literacy in Brazil reached a peak in 2022 with 94.69 percent. The adult literacy rate refers to the share of individuals aged 15 years and older who can read and write as well as understand simple expressions about their daily lives.

Cuba CU: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 99.717 % in 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 96.353 % for 2019. Cuba CU: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 99.859 % from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2021, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 100.000 % in 2012 and a record low of 96.353 % in 2019. Cuba CU: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Cuba – Table CU.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;Weighted average;

Greece GR: Literacy Rate: Adult: % of People Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 97.129 % in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 93.905 % for 2009. Greece GR: Literacy Rate: Adult: % of People Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 93.905 % from Dec 1981 (Median) to 2011, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 97.129 % in 2011 and a record low of 90.512 % in 1981. Greece GR: Literacy Rate: Adult: % of People Aged 15 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Greece – Table GR.World Bank.WDI: Education Statistics. Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Philippines PH: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 96.787 % in 2013. This records an increase from the previous number of 95.826 % for 2008. Philippines PH: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 93.565 % from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2013, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 96.787 % in 2013 and a record low of 82.762 % in 1980. Philippines PH: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Philippines – Table PH.World Bank: Education Statistics. Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Ukraine UA: Literacy Rate: Adult: % of People Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 99.974 % in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 99.430 % for 2001. Ukraine UA: Literacy Rate: Adult: % of People Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 99.702 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2012, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99.974 % in 2012 and a record low of 99.430 % in 2001. Ukraine UA: Literacy Rate: Adult: % of People Aged 15 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ukraine – Table UA.World Bank: Education Statistics. Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Graph and download economic data for Literacy Rate, Adult Total for Small States (SEADTLITRZSSST) from 1987 to 2023 about literacy, adult, and rate.

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.

Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.

Graph and download economic data for Literacy Rate, Adult Total: All Income Levels for Latin America and Caribbean (SEADTLITRZSLCN) from 1974 to 2023 about Caribbean Economies, Latin America, literacy, adult, income, and rate.

Zambia ZM: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 77.747 % in 2010. This records an increase from the previous number of 51.787 % for 2007. Zambia ZM: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 59.803 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2010, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.747 % in 2010 and a record low of 51.787 % in 2007. Zambia ZM: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.World Bank.WDI: Education Statistics. Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) in Serbia was reported at 99 % in 2019, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Serbia - Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.