Literacy Rate by Country

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.

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.