There is a gender gap in the global literacy rate. Although literacy rates have generally increased worldwide for both men and women, men are on average more literate than women. As of 2023, about 90.6 percent of men and a little less than 84.1 percent of women worldwide were literate. Adult literacy rate is defined as the percentage of people aged 15 years and above who can both read and write with understanding a short, simple statement about their everyday life. Youth literacy rate Not only does the literacy gender gap concern adults, it also exists among the world’s younger generations aged 15 to 24. Despite an overall increase in literacy, young men are still more literate than young women. In fact, the global youth literacy rate as gender parity index was 0.98 as of 2023, indicating that young women are not yet as literate as young men. Gender pay gap Gender gaps occur in many different spheres of global society. One such issue concerns salary gender gaps in professional life. Regarding the controlled gender pay gap, which measures the median salary for men and women with the same job and qualifications, women still earned less than men as of 2024. The difference was even bigger when measuring the median salary for all men and women. However, not everyone worries about gender pay gaps. According to a survey from 2021, 54 percent of the female respondents deemed the gender pay gap a real problem, compared to 45 percent of the male respondents.

The average for 2021 based on 58 countries was 92.58 percent. The highest value was in Romania: 100 percent and the lowest value was in Afghanistan: 42 percent. The indicator is available from 1970 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2020, the highest percentage of female literacy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region was in Jordan at about **** percent of the females. Within the region, Syria, Libya and Iraq have been suffering from conflict and humanitarian crises.

Poland: Female literacy rate, ages 15-24: The latest value from 2021 is 99.9 percent, an increase from 99.8 percent in 1988. In comparison, the world average is 92.58 percent, based on data from 58 countries. Historically, the average for Poland from 1978 to 2021 is 99.9 percent. The minimum value, 99.8 percent, was reached in 1988 while the maximum of 100 percent was recorded in 1978.

Brazil: Female literacy rate, ages 15-24: The latest value from 2022 is 99.56 percent, an increase from 99.49 percent in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 90.04 percent, based on data from 65 countries. Historically, the average for Brazil from 1980 to 2022 is 98.06 percent. The minimum value, 85 percent, was reached in 1980 while the maximum of 99.56 percent was recorded in 2022.

Feed the Future activities in Nepal include the Business Literacy (BL) Program, which operates in conjunction with the Knowledge-Based Integrated Sustainable Agriculture and Nutrition (KISAN) Project. Nepal Business Literacy (BL) Impact Evaluation (IE) is designed to collect and analyze three rounds of qualitative and quantitative data collected in order to learn from evidence of the extent to which initial and persistent results of the BL training course occur. The Nepal BL IE is designed to investigate initial and longer-term or persistent impacts of the training experience on targeted aspects of beneficiaries’ knowledge, skills, attitudes (KSA), and behaviors. Investigators also are interested in whether and to what extent the BL training experience leads to adoption of targeted behaviors, such as starting new micro enterprises, that persist over time. This dataset (n=1,434, vars=414) contains women’s records for Modules D (Self-Efficacy in Business Literacy Topics), E (Program Participation and Business Literacy Learning), and F (Household Resources and Production). Records can be uniquely identified by pbs_id + hm_id (although pbs_id can also be used alone because only one woman per household was interviewed).

Egypt EG: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 67.180 % in 2013. This records an increase from the previous number of 65.757 % for 2012. Egypt EG: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 50.704 % from Dec 1976 (Median) to 2013, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 67.180 % in 2013 and a record low of 22.438 % in 1976. Egypt EG: 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 Egypt – Table EG.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).

In 2021, the literacy rate for females in Singapore was 96.4 percent. While the female literacy rate in Singapore has shown a steady increase over the last ten years, it is still lower than the male literacy rate, which stands at 98.9 percent as of 2021.

Iran IR: Literacy Rate: Youth Female: % of Females Aged 15-24 data was reported at 97.678 % in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 97.438 % for 2013. Iran IR: Literacy Rate: Youth Female: % of Females Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 96.435 % from Dec 1976 (Median) to 2014, with 10 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 97.678 % in 2014 and a record low of 42.328 % in 1976. Iran IR: 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 Iran – Table IR.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).

Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15-24) in India was reported at 96 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15-24) in Saudi Arabia was reported at 99 % in 2020, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Saudi Arabia - Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

The average for 2021 based on 13 countries was 75.38 percent. The highest value was in Mauritius: 99.58 percent and the lowest value was in Guinea: 49.09 percent. The indicator is available from 1970 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Bangladesh BD: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 74.000 % in 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 72.000 % for 2020. Bangladesh BD: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 58.000 % from Dec 1981 (Median) to 2021, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 74.000 % in 2021 and a record low of 18.000 % in 1981. Bangladesh BD: 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 Bangladesh – Table BD.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 April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;Weighted average;

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.

Czech Republic CZ: Literacy Rate: Youth Female: % of Females Aged 15-24 data was reported at 99.841 % in 2016. Czech Republic CZ: Literacy Rate: Youth Female: % of Females Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 99.841 % from Dec 2016 (Median) to 2016, with 1 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99.841 % in 2016 and a record low of 99.841 % in 2016. Czech Republic CZ: 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 Czech Republic – Table CZ.World Bank.WDI: Social: 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 (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;Weighted average;

Nepal NP: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 48.838 % in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 34.887 % for 2001. Nepal NP: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 26.134 % from Dec 1981 (Median) to 2011, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 48.838 % in 2011 and a record low of 9.153 % in 1981. Nepal NP: 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 Nepal – Table NP.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).

Eritrea ER: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 54.801 % in 2008. This records an increase from the previous number of 40.224 % for 2002. Eritrea ER: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 47.513 % from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2008, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 54.801 % in 2008 and a record low of 40.224 % in 2002. Eritrea ER: 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 Eritrea – Table ER.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).

Pakistan PK: Literacy Rate: Youth Female: % of Females Aged 15-24 data was reported at 65.548 % in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 63.438 % for 2013. Pakistan PK: Literacy Rate: Youth Female: % of Females Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 61.463 % from Dec 1981 (Median) to 2014, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 65.548 % in 2014 and a record low of 23.833 % in 1981. Pakistan PK: 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 Pakistan – Table PK.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).

Ivory Coast CI: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data was reported at 36.784 % in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 30.462 % for 2012. Ivory Coast CI: Literacy Rate: Adult Female: % of Females Aged 15 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 30.462 % from Dec 1988 (Median) to 2014, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 38.615 % in 2000 and a record low of 23.434 % in 1988. Ivory Coast CI: 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 Ivory Coast – Table CI.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).

Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15-24) in Mali was reported at 38 % in 2020, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Mali - Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.