The highest literacy rates in Nigeria were registered in the southern regions of the country. In the South West, 89 percent of males and 80.6 percent of females were literate as of 2018. Also, the south zones showed the lowest percentage differences between male and female literacy. Female literacy rate in Nigeria is among the highest in West Africa. The highest female literacy rates were registered in Cabo Verde and Ghana, while Nigeria ranked third.

Actual value and historical data chart for Niger Literacy Rate Adult Male Percent Of Males Ages 15 And Above

Graph and download economic data for Literacy Rate, Adult Total for Niger (SEADTLITRZSNER) from 2001 to 2022 about Niger, literacy, adult, and rate.

Actual value and historical data chart for Niger Literacy Rate Youth Female Percent Of Females Ages 15 24

Historical dataset showing Niger literacy rate by year from 2001 to 2022.

Niger NE: Literacy Rate: Adult: % of People Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 15.457 % in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 28.672 % for 2005. Niger NE: Literacy Rate: Adult: % of People Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 15.457 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2012, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 28.672 % in 2005 and a record low of 14.376 % in 2001. Niger NE: 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 Niger – Table NE.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).

Female literacy rate in Nigeria is among the highest in West Africa. However, the difference between male and female literacy rates are substantial in both urban and rural areas. As of 2018, the rate among men living in rural areas of Nigeria reached roughly 60 percent, whereas female literacy rates in the same areas was 35 percent. The gap in urban Nigeria amounted to about ten percentage points.

In West Africa, the highest female literacy rates were registered in Cabo Verde and Ghana, while Nigeria ranked third.

Yearly (annual) dataset of the Niger Adult Literacy Rate, including historical data, latest releases, and long-term trends from 2001-12-31 to 2022-12-31. Available for free download in CSV format.

The rate of adult literacy as share of the country's population 15 years and above in Nigeria was 63.16 percent in 2021. Between 1991 and 2021, the rate of adult literacy rose by 8.16 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

Niger NE: Gender Parity Index (GPI): Literacy Rate: Youth Aged 15-24 data was reported at 0.436 Ratio in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.442 Ratio for 2005. Niger NE: Gender Parity Index (GPI): Literacy Rate: Youth Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 0.442 Ratio from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2012, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.543 Ratio in 2001 and a record low of 0.436 Ratio in 2012. Niger NE: Gender Parity Index (GPI): Literacy Rate: Youth Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Niger – Table NE.World Bank: Education Statistics. Gender parity index for youth literacy rate is the ratio of females to males ages 15-24 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).

Niger NE: Literacy Rate: Adult Male: % of Males Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 23.247 % in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 42.927 % for 2005. Niger NE: Literacy Rate: Adult Male: % of Males Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 23.247 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2012, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 42.927 % in 2005 and a record low of 19.640 % in 2001. Niger NE: Literacy Rate: Adult Male: % of Males Aged 15 and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Niger – Table NE.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 Nigeria (SEADTLITRZSNGA) from 1991 to 2024 about literacy, Nigeria, adult, and rate.

Adult literacy rate of Niger rocketed by 22.90% from 31.00 % in 2012 to 38.10 % in 2022. Since the 107.14% surge in 2005, adult literacy rate shot up by 31.38% in 2022. Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can, with understanding, read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.

Niger NE: Literacy Rate: Youth Male: % of Males Aged 15-24 data was reported at 34.534 % in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 52.450 % for 2005. Niger NE: Literacy Rate: Youth Male: % of Males Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 34.534 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2012, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 52.450 % in 2005 and a record low of 26.230 % in 2001. Niger NE: Literacy Rate: Youth Male: % of Males Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Niger – Table NE.World Bank: Education Statistics. Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 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).

Actual value and historical data chart for Niger Literacy Rate Youth Male Percent Of Males Ages 15 24

Actual value and historical data chart for Niger Elderly Literacy Rate Population 65 Years Male Percent

Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes (%) in Niger was reported at 15.75 % in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Niger - Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth Female: % of Females Aged 15-24 data was reported at 57.954 % in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 60.509 % for 2003. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth Female: % of Females Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 60.509 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2008, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 62.488 % in 1991 and a record low of 57.954 % in 2008. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth Female: % of Females Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Education Statistics. Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 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).

Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 41.387 % in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 43.322 % for 2003. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 43.322 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2008, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 43.729 % in 1991 and a record low of 41.387 % in 2008. Nigeria NG: 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 Nigeria – Table NG.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).

Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth: % of People Age 15-24 data was reported at 66.384 % in 2008. This records a decrease from the previous number of 68.994 % for 2003. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth: % of People Age 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 68.994 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2008, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 71.189 % in 1991 and a record low of 66.384 % in 2008. Nigeria NG: Literacy Rate: Youth: % of People Age 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Education Statistics. Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 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).