Introduction
Literacy, the ability to read and write, is an important issue facing the world today, as it promotes access to knowledge, information and skills. According to a 2017 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report, over 781 million people aged 15 years or older lack basic literacy skills. This figure represents nearly 11% of the world’s population in that age group. The literacy issue is particularly acute in developing countries, where adult illiteracy rates often exceed 50%. Such low literacy rates have a direct impact on economic development, education levels, and health outcomes. For example, illiterate people are more likely to be unemployed and earn lower wages than their literate counterparts. Poor literacy skills also lead to higher poverty levels and prevent individuals from participating fully in their economies. Furthermore, children born into literate households are more likely to attend school and go on to higher levels of education with better job prospects than those whose parents are illiterate. Literacy is thus essential for providing individuals with greater economic opportunities, improved educational attainment, and better health outcomes across the globe.
# | Country | Literacy Rate | Education Attainment |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Andorra | 100% | |
2 | Finland | 100% | |
3 | Liechtenstein | 100% | |
4 | Luxembourg | 100% | |
5 | North Korea | 100% | |
6 | Norway | 100% | |
7 | Uzbekistan | 100% | |
8 | Latvia | 99.89% | |
9 | Estonia | 99.82% | 85.8% |
10 | Lithuania | 99.82% | 89.9% |
11 | Azerbaijan | 99.81% | |
12 | Guam | 99.79% | |
13 | Kazakhstan | 99.79% | |
14 | Poland | 99.79% | 87.8% |
15 | Tajikistan | 99.78% | |
16 | Armenia | 99.77% | 89.9% |
17 | Georgia | 99.76% | |
18 | Ukraine | 99.76% | |
19 | Belarus | 99.72% | |
20 | Russia | 99.72% | |
21 | Cuba | 99.71% | |
22 | Slovenia | 99.71% | |
23 | Barbados | 99.7% | |
24 | Turkmenistan | 99.69% | |
25 | Slovakia | 99.6% | |
26 | Palau | 99.52% | |
27 | Kyrgyzstan | 99.5% | |
28 | Hungary | 99.38% | 80% |
29 | Maldives | 99.32% | |
30 | Croatia | 99.27% | |
31 | Moldova | 99.24% | |
32 | Cyprus | 99.06% | 74.5% |
33 | Italy | 99.02% | 52.5% |
34 | Australia | 99% | 80.1% |
35 | Belgium | 99% | |
36 | Canada | 99% | |
37 | Czech Republic | 99% | |
38 | Denmark | 99% | 79.3% |
39 | France | 99% | |
40 | Germany | 99% | |
41 | Iceland | 99% | 74.1% |
42 | Ireland | 99% | |
43 | Japan | 99% | |
44 | Monaco | 99% | |
45 | Netherlands | 99% | 73% |
46 | New Zealand | 99% | 75.1% |
47 | Saint Pierre and Miquelon | 99% | |
48 | Sweden | 99% | |
49 | Switzerland | 99% | |
50 | United Kingdom | 99% | 79.9% |
51 | United States of America | 99% | 90.9% |
52 | Trinidad and Tobago | 98.97% | |
53 | Antigua and Barbuda | 98.95% | |
54 | Cayman Islands | 98.87% | |
55 | Romania | 98.76% | |
56 | Montenegro | 98.72% | |
57 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 98.49% | 69.1% |
58 | Uruguay | 98.44% | |
59 | Bulgaria | 98.39% | 77.8% |
60 | Mongolia | 98.37% | 45% |
61 | Marshall Islands | 98.27% | |
62 | Spain | 98.11% | 53.3% |
63 | Argentina | 98.09% | |
64 | Jordan | 98.01% | 50.2% |
65 | Austria | 98% | |
66 | Bermuda | 98% | |
67 | Serbia | 98% | |
68 | Turks and Caicos Islands | 98% | |
69 | South Korea | 97.97% | |
70 | Republic of Macedonia | 97.84% | 68.3% |
71 | British Virgin Islands | 97.8% | |
72 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 97.8% | |
73 | Qatar | 97.76% | |
74 | Costa Rica | 97.65% | 40.9% |
75 | Albania | 97.55% | |
76 | Aruba | 97.52% | |
77 | Israel | 97.1% | |
78 | Montserrat | 97% | |
79 | Northern Mariana Islands | 97% | |
80 | Saint Helena | 97% | |
81 | New Caledonia | 96.94% | |
82 | Singapore | 96.77% | 74.5% |
83 | Palestine | 96.67% | 45.9% |
84 | Brunei | 96.66% | |
85 | Chile | 96.63% | |
86 | Philippines | 96.62% | |
87 | People's Republic of China | 96.36% | |
88 | Kuwait | 96.12% | |
89 | Taiwan | 96.1% | |
90 | Grenada | 96% | |
91 | San Marino | 96% | |
92 | Bahrain | 95.72% | 68.7% |
93 | Turkey | 95.69% | |
94 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 95.63% | |
95 | The Bahamas | 95.6% | |
96 | Paraguay | 95.54% | 42.4% |
97 | Suriname | 95.54% | |
98 | Indonesia | 95.44% | 38.1% |
99 | Portugal | 95.43% | 43.5% |
100 | Venezuela | 95.4% | |
101 | Seychelles | 95.32% | |
102 | Greece | 95.29% | 65.3% |
103 | Equatorial Guinea | 95.2% | |
104 | Bolivia | 95.14% | 59.2% |
105 | Panama | 95.04% | |
106 | Anguilla | 95% | |
107 | Saudi Arabia | 94.84% | 62.3% |
108 | Malaysia | 94.64% | |
109 | South Africa | 94.6% | |
110 | Colombia | 94.58% | 53.2% |
111 | Mexico | 94.55% | 38.6% |
112 | Ecuador | 94.52% | 43.4% |
113 | Vietnam | 94.51% | |
114 | Peru | 94.37% | |
115 | Malta | 94.07% | 48.3% |
116 | Lebanon | 94.05% | |
117 | Dominica | 94% | |
118 | Thailand | 93.98% | |
119 | Oman | 93.97% | 62.2% |
120 | Fiji | 93.7% | |
121 | Hong Kong | 93.5% | |
122 | Puerto Rico | 93.33% | |
123 | Myanmar | 93.09% | |
124 | United Arab Emirates | 92.99% | |
125 | Sri Lanka | 92.61% | 64.8% |
126 | Brazil | 92.59% | |
127 | Dominican Republic | 92.47% | |
128 | Kosovo | 91.9% | |
129 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 91.75% | |
130 | Libya | 91.39% | |
131 | Namibia | 90.82% | |
132 | Mauritius | 90.62% | |
133 | Saint Lucia | 90.1% | |
134 | United States Virgin Islands | 90% | |
135 | Federated States of Micronesia | 89% | |
136 | Jamaica | 88.5% | |
137 | Honduras | 88.42% | |
138 | Botswana | 88.22% | |
139 | El Salvador | 87.65% | 33.6% |
140 | Guyana | 87.54% | |
141 | Eswatini | 87.47% | |
142 | Iran | 87.17% | |
143 | Zimbabwe | 86.87% | |
144 | Syria | 86.3% | |
145 | Burundi | 85.5% | |
146 | Zambia | 85.12% | |
147 | Vanuatu | 85.06% | |
148 | Solomon Islands | 84.1% | |
149 | Gabon | 83.24% | |
150 | Belize | 82.78% | 43.3% |
151 | Nicaragua | 82.47% | |
152 | Tunisia | 81.05% | |
153 | Tanzania | 80.36% | |
154 | Laos | 79.87% | |
155 | Iraq | 79.72% | |
156 | Algeria | 79.61% | |
157 | Lesotho | 79.36% | |
158 | Republic of the Congo | 79.31% | |
159 | Guatemala | 79.07% | |
160 | Cambodia | 78.35% | |
161 | Comoros | 78.14% | |
162 | Kenya | 78.02% | |
163 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 77.22% | |
164 | Ghana | 76.58% | |
165 | Egypt | 75.84% | |
166 | Cameroon | 74.99% | |
167 | Eritrea | 73.85% | |
168 | Uganda | 73.81% | |
169 | India | 72.23% | |
170 | Morocco | 71.71% | |
171 | Rwanda | 71.24% | |
172 | Angola | 71.16% | |
173 | Yemen | 69.96% | |
174 | Djibouti | 67.9% | |
175 | Togo | 66.54% | |
176 | Malawi | 65.96% | |
177 | Madagascar | 64.66% | |
178 | Nepal | 64.66% | |
179 | East Timor | 64.07% | |
180 | Bhutan | 63.91% | |
181 | Papua New Guinea | 63.43% | |
182 | Bangladesh | 61.49% | 36.8% |
183 | Haiti | 60.69% | |
184 | Guinea-Bissau | 59.77% | |
185 | Nigeria | 59.57% | |
186 | Mozambique | 58.84% | |
187 | Sudan | 58.6% | |
188 | Pakistan | 56.44% | |
189 | Senegal | 55.62% | |
190 | Mauritania | 52.12% | |
191 | Ethiopia | 49.03% | |
192 | Sierra Leone | 48.43% | |
193 | Liberia | 47.6% | |
194 | Ivory Coast | 43.27% | |
195 | Chad | 40.02% | |
196 | Benin | 38.45% | |
197 | Afghanistan | 38.17% | |
198 | Somalia | 37.8% | |
199 | Burkina Faso | 37.75% | |
200 | Central African Republic | 36.75% | |
201 | Mali | 33.07% | 5.4% |
202 | South Sudan | 31.98% | |
203 | Guinea | 30.47% | |
204 | Niger | 19.1% |
Literacy Rate by Country
Literacy rates vary worldwide, with some nations boasting some of the highest literacy levels while others remain in the dark. According to UNESCO, the global average literacy rate in 2017 was 86%. However, this number hides huge disparities at regional and national levels. In North America and Europe, these rates are generally much higher than average, with 99% of adults considered literate. On the other hand, in various sub-Saharan African countries such as Niger, the literacy rate is 19.1%, and in South Sudan, where only 31.98% of adults can read or write. In Asia, Pakistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world, with just 56.44% of the adult population being able to read and write, while China boasts a rate of 96.36%. This demonstrates that a country’s educational infrastructure is closely correlated to its economic development. As nations invest more resources into education and training programs for their citizens, their literacy rates will generally increase over time. Countries with greater access to books, libraries and other sources of information tend to have higher literacy rates than those with limited access.
Countries with Highest Literacy Rates
The countries with the highest literacy rates are Andorra, Finland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, North Korea, Norway, Uzbekistan, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. Andorra has the highest literacy rate in the world, with a literacy rate of 100%. Finland has the second highest literacy rate globally, with a literacy rate of 100%. Liechtenstein has the third highest literacy rate, with a literacy rate of 100%. Luxembourg has the fourth highest literacy rate in the world, with a literacy rate of 100%. North Korea has the fifth highest literacy rate globally, with a literacy rate of 100%. Norway has the sixth highest literacy rate, with a literacy rate of 100%. Uzbekistan has the seventh highest literacy rate in the world, with a literacy rate of 100%. Latvia has the eighth highest literacy rate globally, with a literacy rate of 99.89%. Estonia has the ninth highest literacy rate, with a literacy rate of 99.82%. Lithuania has the tenth highest literacy rate in the world, with a literacy rate of 99.82%.
Most Literate Countries
1. Andorra – 100%
2. Finland – 100%
3. Liechtenstein – 100%
4. Luxembourg – 100%
5. North Korea – 100%
6. Norway – 100%
7. Uzbekistan – 100%
8. Latvia – 99.89%
9. Estonia – 99.82%
10. Lithuania – 99.82%
Highest Literacy Rate in the World
The seven countries that have achieved the highest literacy rate in the world, 100%, are Andorra, Finland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, North Korea, Norway and Uzbekistan. These nations have implemented comprehensive education policies that have eradicated illiteracy among their entire populations. This impressive feat is mainly credited to their robust investments in education programs and initiatives. For instance, many of these countries boast advanced educational infrastructures such as libraries and educational centers that enable people from all socioeconomic backgrounds to access quality education. North Korea, which is ranked seventh, for example, has state-run and funded schools, with both primary and secondary school education being required, enabling the nation’s literacy rates to be one of the highest in the world. Furthermore, most offer free or highly subsidized tuition fees for students who wish to pursue higher education. In addition, several of these nations provide incentives such as scholarships and grants for those who choose to study in specialized fields such as technology or science. Moreover, many of them also encourage the participation of private organizations and philanthropic groups, which help fund educational programs that are tailored towards developing their citizens’ knowledge base and skillsets.
Countries with Lowest Literacy Rates
The countries with the lowest literacy rates are largely located within the African continent. The countries with the lowest literacy rates are Niger, Guinea, South Sudan, Mali, the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Somalia, Afghanistan, Benin, and Chad. The country with the lowest literacy rate in the world is Niger, with a literacy rate of 19.1%. The country with the second lowest literacy rate in the world is Guinea, with a literacy rate of 30.47%. South Sudan has the third lowest literacy rate globally, with a literacy rate of 31.98%. Mali has the fourth lowest literacy rate, with a literacy rate of 33.07%. The Central African Republic has the fifth lowest literacy rate in the world, with a literacy rate of 36.75%. Burkina Faso has the sixth lowest literacy rate globally, with a literacy rate of 37.75%. Somalia has the seventh lowest literacy rate, with a literacy rate of 37.8%. Afghanistan has the eighth lowest literacy rate in the world, with a literacy rate of 38.17%. Benin has the ninth lowest literacy rate globally, with a literacy rate of 38.45%. Chad has the tenth lowest literacy rate, with a literacy rate of 40.02%.
Least Literate Countries
1. Niger – 19.1%
2. Guinea – 30.47%
3. South Sudan – 31.98%
4. Mali – 33.07%
5. Central African Republic – 36.75%
6. Burkina Faso – 37.75%
7. Somalia – 37.8%
8. Afghanistan – 38.17%
9. Benin – 38.45%
10. Chad – 40.02%
Country With Lowest Literacy Rate
Niger is the country with the lowest literacy rate in the world, with a literacy rate of 19.1%. This figure means that only 1 in 5 adults over 15 can read and write. According to UNESCO estimates, over 70% of Niger’s population is illiterate, leaving nearly 10 million people unable to access advanced education or gainful employment opportunities. This dire situation is caused by a lack of adequate resources and money to invest in education; despite public primary education being free in Niger, there are still not enough schools or teachers to accommodate all students. Furthermore, poverty and gender inequality have posed significant barriers for many children wanting to attend school – girls being disproportionately affected due to cultural norms which discourage their enrolment into secondary and tertiary education institutions. To promote literacy in Niger, international organizations like UNICEF and USAID have implemented several projects that aim to provide quality learning materials and support local teachers who are under-resourced but passionate about helping young minds develop academically. For example, the Access to Quality Education Project (AQEP) has provided scholarships for girls from rural areas, enabling them to gain access to better educational facilities as well as encouraging more female participation in higher-level studies.
Literacy Rate by Country
Afghanistan
Literacy Rate
38.17%
Ranked in the World
#197
Albania
Literacy Rate
97.55%
Ranked in the World
#75
Algeria
Literacy Rate
79.61%
Ranked in the World
#156
Andorra
Literacy Rate
100%
Ranked in the World
#1
Angola
Literacy Rate
71.16%
Ranked in the World
#172
Anguilla
Literacy Rate
95%
Ranked in the World
#106
Antigua and Barbuda
Literacy Rate
98.95%
Ranked in the World
#53
Argentina
Literacy Rate
98.09%
Ranked in the World
#63
Armenia
Literacy Rate
99.77%
Ranked in the World
#16
Education Attainment
89.9%
Ranked in the World
#2
Aruba
Literacy Rate
97.52%
Ranked in the World
#76
Australia
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#34
Education Attainment
80.1%
Ranked in the World
#6
Austria
Literacy Rate
98%
Ranked in the World
#65
Azerbaijan
Literacy Rate
99.81%
Ranked in the World
#11
Bahrain
Literacy Rate
95.72%
Ranked in the World
#92
Education Attainment
68.7%
Ranked in the World
#17
Bangladesh
Literacy Rate
61.49%
Ranked in the World
#182
Education Attainment
36.8%
Ranked in the World
#39
Barbados
Literacy Rate
99.7%
Ranked in the World
#23
Belarus
Literacy Rate
99.72%
Ranked in the World
#19
Belgium
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#35
Belize
Literacy Rate
82.78%
Ranked in the World
#150
Education Attainment
43.3%
Ranked in the World
#34
Benin
Literacy Rate
38.45%
Ranked in the World
#196
Bermuda
Literacy Rate
98%
Ranked in the World
#66
Bhutan
Literacy Rate
63.91%
Ranked in the World
#180
Bolivia
Literacy Rate
95.14%
Ranked in the World
#104
Education Attainment
59.2%
Ranked in the World
#23
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Literacy Rate
98.49%
Ranked in the World
#57
Education Attainment
69.1%
Ranked in the World
#16
Botswana
Literacy Rate
88.22%
Ranked in the World
#138
Brazil
Literacy Rate
92.59%
Ranked in the World
#126
British Virgin Islands
Literacy Rate
97.8%
Ranked in the World
#71
Brunei
Literacy Rate
96.66%
Ranked in the World
#84
Bulgaria
Literacy Rate
98.39%
Ranked in the World
#59
Education Attainment
77.8%
Ranked in the World
#10
Burkina Faso
Literacy Rate
37.75%
Ranked in the World
#199
Burundi
Literacy Rate
85.5%
Ranked in the World
#145
Cambodia
Literacy Rate
78.35%
Ranked in the World
#160
Cameroon
Literacy Rate
74.99%
Ranked in the World
#166
Canada
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#36
Cayman Islands
Literacy Rate
98.87%
Ranked in the World
#54
Central African Republic
Literacy Rate
36.75%
Ranked in the World
#200
Chad
Literacy Rate
40.02%
Ranked in the World
#195
Chile
Literacy Rate
96.63%
Ranked in the World
#85
Colombia
Literacy Rate
94.58%
Ranked in the World
#110
Education Attainment
53.2%
Ranked in the World
#25
Comoros
Literacy Rate
78.14%
Ranked in the World
#161
Costa Rica
Literacy Rate
97.65%
Ranked in the World
#74
Education Attainment
40.9%
Ranked in the World
#36
Croatia
Literacy Rate
99.27%
Ranked in the World
#30
Cuba
Literacy Rate
99.71%
Ranked in the World
#21
Cyprus
Literacy Rate
99.06%
Ranked in the World
#32
Education Attainment
74.5%
Ranked in the World
#12
Czech Republic
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#37
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Literacy Rate
77.22%
Ranked in the World
#163
Denmark
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#38
Education Attainment
79.3%
Ranked in the World
#9
Djibouti
Literacy Rate
67.9%
Ranked in the World
#174
Dominica
Literacy Rate
94%
Ranked in the World
#117
Dominican Republic
Literacy Rate
92.47%
Ranked in the World
#127
East Timor
Literacy Rate
64.07%
Ranked in the World
#179
Ecuador
Literacy Rate
94.52%
Ranked in the World
#112
Education Attainment
43.4%
Ranked in the World
#33
Egypt
Literacy Rate
75.84%
Ranked in the World
#165
El Salvador
Literacy Rate
87.65%
Ranked in the World
#139
Education Attainment
33.6%
Ranked in the World
#40
Equatorial Guinea
Literacy Rate
95.2%
Ranked in the World
#103
Eritrea
Literacy Rate
73.85%
Ranked in the World
#167
Estonia
Literacy Rate
99.82%
Ranked in the World
#9
Education Attainment
85.8%
Ranked in the World
#5
Eswatini
Literacy Rate
87.47%
Ranked in the World
#141
Ethiopia
Literacy Rate
49.03%
Ranked in the World
#191
Federated States of Micronesia
Literacy Rate
89%
Ranked in the World
#135
Fiji
Literacy Rate
93.7%
Ranked in the World
#120
Finland
Literacy Rate
100%
Ranked in the World
#2
France
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#39
Gabon
Literacy Rate
83.24%
Ranked in the World
#149
Georgia
Literacy Rate
99.76%
Ranked in the World
#17
Germany
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#40
Ghana
Literacy Rate
76.58%
Ranked in the World
#164
Greece
Literacy Rate
95.29%
Ranked in the World
#102
Education Attainment
65.3%
Ranked in the World
#19
Grenada
Literacy Rate
96%
Ranked in the World
#90
Guam
Literacy Rate
99.79%
Ranked in the World
#12
Guatemala
Literacy Rate
79.07%
Ranked in the World
#159
Guinea
Literacy Rate
30.47%
Ranked in the World
#203
Guinea-Bissau
Literacy Rate
59.77%
Ranked in the World
#184
Guyana
Literacy Rate
87.54%
Ranked in the World
#140
Haiti
Literacy Rate
60.69%
Ranked in the World
#183
Honduras
Literacy Rate
88.42%
Ranked in the World
#137
Hong Kong
Literacy Rate
93.5%
Ranked in the World
#121
Hungary
Literacy Rate
99.38%
Ranked in the World
#28
Education Attainment
80%
Ranked in the World
#7
Iceland
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#41
Education Attainment
74.1%
Ranked in the World
#14
India
Literacy Rate
72.23%
Ranked in the World
#169
The literacy rate in India is 72.23%, which puts the country one hundred and sixty-ninth in the world rankings. The literacy rate has been steadily increasing since 2000 when it was just around 63%. In comparison to other developing countries, India boasts a higher proportion of literate citizens; this is due to increased access to education and effective government initiatives that prioritize academic enrichment. Despite these improvements, there are still roughly 281 million illiterate adults in India, highlighting the fact that there is still much work to be done in order to bolster educational attainment within the country. Additionally, there remain large disparities between rural and urban areas when it comes to literacy rates; with urban centers generally enjoying far higher levels of education than the communities found in more remote locations.
Indonesia
Literacy Rate
95.44%
Ranked in the World
#98
Education Attainment
38.1%
Ranked in the World
#38
Iran
Literacy Rate
87.17%
Ranked in the World
#142
Iraq
Literacy Rate
79.72%
Ranked in the World
#155
Ireland
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#42
Israel
Literacy Rate
97.1%
Ranked in the World
#77
Italy
Literacy Rate
99.02%
Ranked in the World
#33
Education Attainment
52.5%
Ranked in the World
#26
Ivory Coast
Literacy Rate
43.27%
Ranked in the World
#194
Jamaica
Literacy Rate
88.5%
Ranked in the World
#136
Japan
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#43
Jordan
Literacy Rate
98.01%
Ranked in the World
#64
Education Attainment
50.2%
Ranked in the World
#28
Kazakhstan
Literacy Rate
99.79%
Ranked in the World
#13
Kenya
Literacy Rate
78.02%
Ranked in the World
#162
Kosovo
Literacy Rate
91.9%
Ranked in the World
#128
Kuwait
Literacy Rate
96.12%
Ranked in the World
#88
Kyrgyzstan
Literacy Rate
99.5%
Ranked in the World
#27
Laos
Literacy Rate
79.87%
Ranked in the World
#154
Latvia
Literacy Rate
99.89%
Ranked in the World
#8
Lebanon
Literacy Rate
94.05%
Ranked in the World
#116
Lesotho
Literacy Rate
79.36%
Ranked in the World
#157
Liberia
Literacy Rate
47.6%
Ranked in the World
#193
Libya
Literacy Rate
91.39%
Ranked in the World
#130
Liechtenstein
Literacy Rate
100%
Ranked in the World
#3
Lithuania
Literacy Rate
99.82%
Ranked in the World
#10
Education Attainment
89.9%
Ranked in the World
#3
Luxembourg
Literacy Rate
100%
Ranked in the World
#4
Madagascar
Literacy Rate
64.66%
Ranked in the World
#177
Malawi
Literacy Rate
65.96%
Ranked in the World
#176
Malaysia
Literacy Rate
94.64%
Ranked in the World
#108
The literacy rate in Malaysia is 94.64%, ranking the country one hundred-eighth in the world, and making it one of the higher-performing countries in terms of literacy. Malaysia has achieved this ranking through considerable investment in education, with primary and secondary school attendance being compulsory. This has resulted in a steady increase in both male and female literacy rates. The Malaysian government also offers free university tuition for all citizens, which has helped boost their literacy rate even further over time. This commitment to education has enabled more Malaysians to access knowledge and opportunities, positively impacting their overall standard of living.
Maldives
Literacy Rate
99.32%
Ranked in the World
#29
Mali
Literacy Rate
33.07%
Ranked in the World
#201
Education Attainment
5.4%
Ranked in the World
#41
Mali ranks among the countries with the lowest literacy rates in the world, with only 33.07% of the population able to read and write. This rate is lower than the global average of 86% and indicates that there is a large portion of the population without access to basic education. It also puts a strain on the country's economy, as those without an education are less likely to participate in productive economic activity. Additionally, educational inequality has increased due to conflict, resulting in fewer resources available for quality education in certain regions. With limited opportunities for learning, this number may continue to remain low and present a challenge for Mali's development.
Malta
Literacy Rate
94.07%
Ranked in the World
#115
Education Attainment
48.3%
Ranked in the World
#29
Marshall Islands
Literacy Rate
98.27%
Ranked in the World
#61
Mauritania
Literacy Rate
52.12%
Ranked in the World
#190
Mauritius
Literacy Rate
90.62%
Ranked in the World
#132
Mexico
Literacy Rate
94.55%
Ranked in the World
#111
Education Attainment
38.6%
Ranked in the World
#37
Moldova
Literacy Rate
99.24%
Ranked in the World
#31
Monaco
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#44
Mongolia
Literacy Rate
98.37%
Ranked in the World
#60
Education Attainment
45%
Ranked in the World
#31
Montenegro
Literacy Rate
98.72%
Ranked in the World
#56
Montserrat
Literacy Rate
97%
Ranked in the World
#78
Morocco
Literacy Rate
71.71%
Ranked in the World
#170
Mozambique
Literacy Rate
58.84%
Ranked in the World
#186
Myanmar
Literacy Rate
93.09%
Ranked in the World
#123
Namibia
Literacy Rate
90.82%
Ranked in the World
#131
Nepal
Literacy Rate
64.66%
Ranked in the World
#178
Netherlands
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#45
Education Attainment
73%
Ranked in the World
#15
New Caledonia
Literacy Rate
96.94%
Ranked in the World
#81
New Zealand
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#46
Education Attainment
75.1%
Ranked in the World
#11
Nicaragua
Literacy Rate
82.47%
Ranked in the World
#151
Niger
Literacy Rate
19.1%
Ranked in the World
#204
Nigeria
Literacy Rate
59.57%
Ranked in the World
#185
North Korea
Literacy Rate
100%
Ranked in the World
#5
Northern Mariana Islands
Literacy Rate
97%
Ranked in the World
#79
Norway
Literacy Rate
100%
Ranked in the World
#6
Oman
Literacy Rate
93.97%
Ranked in the World
#119
Education Attainment
62.2%
Ranked in the World
#22
Pakistan
Literacy Rate
56.44%
Ranked in the World
#188
The literacy rate in Pakistan is 56.44%, ranking the country one hundred eighty-eighth in the world. It is significantly lower than the world average, which is estimated at around 86%. This means that a large portion of the population lacks the basic skills to engage in meaningful economic activity. Pakistan's literacy rate has increased steadily since 1990 but this progress is marred by significant gender and regional disparities. There is also a stark difference between the urban and rural literacy rates, with rural areas lagging behind their urban counterparts.
Palau
Literacy Rate
99.52%
Ranked in the World
#26
Palestine
Literacy Rate
96.67%
Ranked in the World
#83
Education Attainment
45.9%
Ranked in the World
#30
Panama
Literacy Rate
95.04%
Ranked in the World
#105
Papua New Guinea
Literacy Rate
63.43%
Ranked in the World
#181
Paraguay
Literacy Rate
95.54%
Ranked in the World
#96
Education Attainment
42.4%
Ranked in the World
#35
People's Republic of China
Literacy Rate
96.36%
Ranked in the World
#87
The literacy rate in China is 96.36%, ranking the country eighty-seventh in the world. China has one of the highest literacy rates in the world – nearly every single Chinese citizen can read and write – demonstrating the value of education placed upon its citizens. Indeed, the Chinese government has heavily invested in education over recent years, leading to massive growth in enrollment figures for primary and secondary schools across the country. This commitment to education has been reflected in dramatic improvements in China's literacy rate over time – from just 65% in the 1980s up to 97% today.
Peru
Literacy Rate
94.37%
Ranked in the World
#114
Philippines
Literacy Rate
96.62%
Ranked in the World
#86
Poland
Literacy Rate
99.79%
Ranked in the World
#14
Education Attainment
87.8%
Ranked in the World
#4
Portugal
Literacy Rate
95.43%
Ranked in the World
#99
Education Attainment
43.5%
Ranked in the World
#32
Puerto Rico
Literacy Rate
93.33%
Ranked in the World
#122
Qatar
Literacy Rate
97.76%
Ranked in the World
#73
Republic of Macedonia
Literacy Rate
97.84%
Ranked in the World
#70
Education Attainment
68.3%
Ranked in the World
#18
Republic of the Congo
Literacy Rate
79.31%
Ranked in the World
#158
Romania
Literacy Rate
98.76%
Ranked in the World
#55
Russia
Literacy Rate
99.72%
Ranked in the World
#20
Russia is one of the most literate countries in the world, with a literacy rate of 99.72%, ranking the country twentieth in the world. This number has increased drastically due to improvements in education within the country, such as more focus on early childhood education and universal access to higher education. Not only do Russia's schools provide students with the necessary academic skills, but they also strive to foster creativity and critical thinking skills. This emphasis on learning and growing beyond basic literacy has helped Russia maintain its high literacy rate.
Rwanda
Literacy Rate
71.24%
Ranked in the World
#171
Saint Helena
Literacy Rate
97%
Ranked in the World
#80
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Literacy Rate
97.8%
Ranked in the World
#72
Saint Lucia
Literacy Rate
90.1%
Ranked in the World
#133
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#47
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Literacy Rate
95.63%
Ranked in the World
#94
San Marino
Literacy Rate
96%
Ranked in the World
#91
São Tomé and Príncipe
Literacy Rate
91.75%
Ranked in the World
#129
Saudi Arabia
Literacy Rate
94.84%
Ranked in the World
#107
Education Attainment
62.3%
Ranked in the World
#21
Senegal
Literacy Rate
55.62%
Ranked in the World
#189
Serbia
Literacy Rate
98%
Ranked in the World
#67
Seychelles
Literacy Rate
95.32%
Ranked in the World
#101
Sierra Leone
Literacy Rate
48.43%
Ranked in the World
#192
Singapore
Literacy Rate
96.77%
Ranked in the World
#82
Education Attainment
74.5%
Ranked in the World
#13
Slovakia
Literacy Rate
99.6%
Ranked in the World
#25
Slovenia
Literacy Rate
99.71%
Ranked in the World
#22
Solomon Islands
Literacy Rate
84.1%
Ranked in the World
#148
Somalia
Literacy Rate
37.8%
Ranked in the World
#198
South Africa
Literacy Rate
94.6%
Ranked in the World
#109
South Korea
Literacy Rate
97.97%
Ranked in the World
#69
South Sudan
Literacy Rate
31.98%
Ranked in the World
#202
Spain
Literacy Rate
98.11%
Ranked in the World
#62
Education Attainment
53.3%
Ranked in the World
#24
Sri Lanka
Literacy Rate
92.61%
Ranked in the World
#125
Education Attainment
64.8%
Ranked in the World
#20
Sudan
Literacy Rate
58.6%
Ranked in the World
#187
Suriname
Literacy Rate
95.54%
Ranked in the World
#97
Sweden
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#48
Switzerland
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#49
Syria
Literacy Rate
86.3%
Ranked in the World
#144
Taiwan
Literacy Rate
96.1%
Ranked in the World
#89
Tajikistan
Literacy Rate
99.78%
Ranked in the World
#15
Tanzania
Literacy Rate
80.36%
Ranked in the World
#153
Thailand
Literacy Rate
93.98%
Ranked in the World
#118
The Bahamas
Literacy Rate
95.6%
Ranked in the World
#95
Togo
Literacy Rate
66.54%
Ranked in the World
#175
Trinidad and Tobago
Literacy Rate
98.97%
Ranked in the World
#52
Tunisia
Literacy Rate
81.05%
Ranked in the World
#152
Turkey
Literacy Rate
95.69%
Ranked in the World
#93
Turkmenistan
Literacy Rate
99.69%
Ranked in the World
#24
Turks and Caicos Islands
Literacy Rate
98%
Ranked in the World
#68
Uganda
Literacy Rate
73.81%
Ranked in the World
#168
Ukraine
Literacy Rate
99.76%
Ranked in the World
#18
United Arab Emirates
Literacy Rate
92.99%
Ranked in the World
#124
United Kingdom
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#50
Education Attainment
79.9%
Ranked in the World
#8
United States of America
Literacy Rate
99%
Ranked in the World
#51
Education Attainment
90.9%
Ranked in the World
#1
United States Virgin Islands
Literacy Rate
90%
Ranked in the World
#134
Uruguay
Literacy Rate
98.44%
Ranked in the World
#58
The literacy rate in Uruguay is 98.44%, ranking the country fifty-eighth in the world. Uruguay has achieved this educational goal due to its commitment to providing quality education to all its citizens, regardless of their socio-economic status. The government also invests heavily in school infrastructure, raising standards for both primary and secondary-level education. Additionally, there are several initiatives that exist in order to provide extra support to those who need it, such as volunteer programs and government-funded tutoring services. This collective effort has enabled Uruguay to reach high levels of literacy.
Uzbekistan
Literacy Rate
100%
Ranked in the World
#7
Vanuatu
Literacy Rate
85.06%
Ranked in the World
#147
Venezuela
Literacy Rate
95.4%
Ranked in the World
#100
Vietnam
Literacy Rate
94.51%
Ranked in the World
#113
Yemen
Literacy Rate
69.96%
Ranked in the World
#173
Zambia
Literacy Rate
85.12%
Ranked in the World
#146
Zimbabwe
Literacy Rate
86.87%
Ranked in the World
#143
FAQs
Which country has the highest literacy rate ?
The country with the highest literacy rate in the world is Andorra with a literacy rate of 100%.
What are the top 10 countries with the highest literacy rates ?
The 10 countries with the highest literacy rates are :
1. Andorra – 100%
2. Finland – 100%
3. Liechtenstein – 100%
4. Luxembourg – 100%
5. North Korea – 100%
6. Norway – 100%
7. Uzbekistan – 100%
8. Latvia – 99.89%
9. Estonia – 99.82%
10. Lithuania – 99.82%
Which country has the lowest literacy rate ?
The country with the lowest literacy rate is Niger with a literacy rate of 19.9%.