Literacy Rate by Country

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Table

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Interactive MapIntroductionLiteracy Rate by CountryCountries with Highest Literacy RatesMost Literate CountriesHighest Literacy Rate in the WorldCountries with Lowest Literacy RatesLeast Literate CountriesCountry With Lowest Literacy RateLiteracy Rate by CountryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileColombiaComorosCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of the CongoDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFederated States of MicronesiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuamGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyIvory CoastJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeople's Republic of ChinaPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRepublic of MacedoniaRepublic of the CongoRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSan MarinoSão Tomé and PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandThe BahamasTogoTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited States of AmericaUnited States Virgin IslandsUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuelaVietnamYemenZambiaZimbabweFAQsWhich country has the highest literacy rate ?What are the top 10 countries with the highest literacy rates ?Which country has the lowest literacy rate ?

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.

#CountryLiteracy RateEducation Attainment
1Andorra100%
2Finland100%
3Liechtenstein100%
4Luxembourg100%
5North Korea100%
6Norway100%
7Uzbekistan100%
8Latvia99.89%
9Estonia99.82%85.8%
10Lithuania99.82%89.9%
11Azerbaijan99.81%
12Guam99.79%
13Kazakhstan99.79%
14Poland99.79%87.8%
15Tajikistan99.78%
16Armenia99.77%89.9%
17Georgia99.76%
18Ukraine99.76%
19Belarus99.72%
20Russia99.72%
21Cuba99.71%
22Slovenia99.71%
23Barbados99.7%
24Turkmenistan99.69%
25Slovakia99.6%
26Palau99.52%
27Kyrgyzstan99.5%
28Hungary99.38%80%
29Maldives99.32%
30Croatia99.27%
31Moldova99.24%
32Cyprus99.06%74.5%
33Italy99.02%52.5%
34Australia99%80.1%
35Belgium99%
36Canada99%
37Czech Republic99%
38Denmark99%79.3%
39France99%
40Germany99%
41Iceland99%74.1%
42Ireland99%
43Japan99%
44Monaco99%
45Netherlands99%73%
46New Zealand99%75.1%
47Saint Pierre and Miquelon99%
48Sweden99%
49Switzerland99%
50United Kingdom99%79.9%
51United States of America99%90.9%
52Trinidad and Tobago98.97%
53Antigua and Barbuda98.95%
54Cayman Islands98.87%
55Romania98.76%
56Montenegro98.72%
57Bosnia and Herzegovina98.49%69.1%
58Uruguay98.44%
59Bulgaria98.39%77.8%
60Mongolia98.37%45%
61Marshall Islands98.27%
62Spain98.11%53.3%
63Argentina98.09%
64Jordan98.01%50.2%
65Austria98%
66Bermuda98%
67Serbia98%
68Turks and Caicos Islands98%
69South Korea97.97%
70Republic of Macedonia97.84%68.3%
71British Virgin Islands97.8%
72Saint Kitts and Nevis97.8%
73Qatar97.76%
74Costa Rica97.65%40.9%
75Albania97.55%
76Aruba97.52%
77Israel97.1%
78Montserrat97%
79Northern Mariana Islands97%
80Saint Helena97%
81New Caledonia96.94%
82Singapore96.77%74.5%
83Palestine96.67%45.9%
84Brunei96.66%
85Chile96.63%
86Philippines96.62%
87People's Republic of China96.36%
88Kuwait96.12%
89Taiwan96.1%
90Grenada96%
91San Marino96%
92Bahrain95.72%68.7%
93Turkey95.69%
94Saint Vincent and the Grenadines95.63%
95The Bahamas95.6%
96Paraguay95.54%42.4%
97Suriname95.54%
98Indonesia95.44%38.1%
99Portugal95.43%43.5%
100Venezuela95.4%
101Seychelles95.32%
102Greece95.29%65.3%
103Equatorial Guinea95.2%
104Bolivia95.14%59.2%
105Panama95.04%
106Anguilla95%
107Saudi Arabia94.84%62.3%
108Malaysia94.64%
109South Africa94.6%
110Colombia94.58%53.2%
111Mexico94.55%38.6%
112Ecuador94.52%43.4%
113Vietnam94.51%
114Peru94.37%
115Malta94.07%48.3%
116Lebanon94.05%
117Dominica94%
118Thailand93.98%
119Oman93.97%62.2%
120Fiji93.7%
121Hong Kong93.5%
122Puerto Rico93.33%
123Myanmar93.09%
124United Arab Emirates92.99%
125Sri Lanka92.61%64.8%
126Brazil92.59%
127Dominican Republic92.47%
128Kosovo91.9%
129São Tomé and Príncipe91.75%
130Libya91.39%
131Namibia90.82%
132Mauritius90.62%
133Saint Lucia90.1%
134United States Virgin Islands90%
135Federated States of Micronesia89%
136Jamaica88.5%
137Honduras88.42%
138Botswana88.22%
139El Salvador87.65%33.6%
140Guyana87.54%
141Eswatini87.47%
142Iran87.17%
143Zimbabwe86.87%
144Syria86.3%
145Burundi85.5%
146Zambia85.12%
147Vanuatu85.06%
148Solomon Islands84.1%
149Gabon83.24%
150Belize82.78%43.3%
151Nicaragua82.47%
152Tunisia81.05%
153Tanzania80.36%
154Laos79.87%
155Iraq79.72%
156Algeria79.61%
157Lesotho79.36%
158Republic of the Congo79.31%
159Guatemala79.07%
160Cambodia78.35%
161Comoros78.14%
162Kenya78.02%
163Democratic Republic of the Congo77.22%
164Ghana76.58%
165Egypt75.84%
166Cameroon74.99%
167Eritrea73.85%
168Uganda73.81%
169India72.23%
170Morocco71.71%
171Rwanda71.24%
172Angola71.16%
173Yemen69.96%
174Djibouti67.9%
175Togo66.54%
176Malawi65.96%
177Madagascar64.66%
178Nepal64.66%
179East Timor64.07%
180Bhutan63.91%
181Papua New Guinea63.43%
182Bangladesh61.49%36.8%
183Haiti60.69%
184Guinea-Bissau59.77%
185Nigeria59.57%
186Mozambique58.84%
187Sudan58.6%
188Pakistan56.44%
189Senegal55.62%
190Mauritania52.12%
191Ethiopia49.03%
192Sierra Leone48.43%
193Liberia47.6%
194Ivory Coast43.27%
195Chad40.02%
196Benin38.45%
197Afghanistan38.17%
198Somalia37.8%
199Burkina Faso37.75%
200Central African Republic36.75%
201Mali33.07%5.4%
202South Sudan31.98%
203Guinea30.47%
204Niger19.1%

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

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Literacy Rate

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38.17%

Ranked in the World

#197

Albania

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Literacy Rate

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97.55%

Ranked in the World

#75

Algeria

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Literacy Rate

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79.61%

Ranked in the World

#156

Andorra

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Literacy Rate

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100%

Ranked in the World

#1

Angola

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Literacy Rate

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71.16%

Ranked in the World

#172

Anguilla

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Literacy Rate

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95%

Ranked in the World

#106

Antigua and Barbuda

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Literacy Rate

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98.95%

Ranked in the World

#53

Argentina

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Literacy Rate

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98.09%

Ranked in the World

#63

Armenia

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Literacy Rate

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99.77%

Ranked in the World

#16

Education Attainment

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89.9%

Ranked in the World

#2

Aruba

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Literacy Rate

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97.52%

Ranked in the World

#76

Australia

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#34

Education Attainment

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80.1%

Ranked in the World

#6

Austria

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Literacy Rate

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98%

Ranked in the World

#65

Azerbaijan

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Literacy Rate

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99.81%

Ranked in the World

#11

Bahrain

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Literacy Rate

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95.72%

Ranked in the World

#92

Education Attainment

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68.7%

Ranked in the World

#17

Bangladesh

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Literacy Rate

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61.49%

Ranked in the World

#182

Education Attainment

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36.8%

Ranked in the World

#39

Barbados

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Literacy Rate

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99.7%

Ranked in the World

#23

Belarus

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Literacy Rate

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99.72%

Ranked in the World

#19

Belgium

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#35

Belize

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Literacy Rate

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82.78%

Ranked in the World

#150

Education Attainment

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43.3%

Ranked in the World

#34

Benin

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Literacy Rate

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38.45%

Ranked in the World

#196

Bermuda

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Literacy Rate

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98%

Ranked in the World

#66

Bhutan

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Literacy Rate

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63.91%

Ranked in the World

#180

Bolivia

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Literacy Rate

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95.14%

Ranked in the World

#104

Education Attainment

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59.2%

Ranked in the World

#23

Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Literacy Rate

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98.49%

Ranked in the World

#57

Education Attainment

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69.1%

Ranked in the World

#16

Botswana

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Literacy Rate

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88.22%

Ranked in the World

#138

Brazil

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Literacy Rate

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92.59%

Ranked in the World

#126

British Virgin Islands

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Literacy Rate

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97.8%

Ranked in the World

#71

Brunei

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Literacy Rate

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96.66%

Ranked in the World

#84

Bulgaria

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Literacy Rate

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98.39%

Ranked in the World

#59

Education Attainment

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77.8%

Ranked in the World

#10

Burkina Faso

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Literacy Rate

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37.75%

Ranked in the World

#199

Burundi

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Literacy Rate

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85.5%

Ranked in the World

#145

Cambodia

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Literacy Rate

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78.35%

Ranked in the World

#160

Cameroon

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Literacy Rate

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74.99%

Ranked in the World

#166

Canada

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#36

Cayman Islands

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Literacy Rate

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98.87%

Ranked in the World

#54

Central African Republic

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Literacy Rate

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36.75%

Ranked in the World

#200

Chad

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Literacy Rate

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40.02%

Ranked in the World

#195

Chile

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Literacy Rate

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96.63%

Ranked in the World

#85

Colombia

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Literacy Rate

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94.58%

Ranked in the World

#110

Education Attainment

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53.2%

Ranked in the World

#25

Comoros

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Literacy Rate

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78.14%

Ranked in the World

#161

Costa Rica

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Literacy Rate

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97.65%

Ranked in the World

#74

Education Attainment

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40.9%

Ranked in the World

#36

Croatia

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Literacy Rate

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99.27%

Ranked in the World

#30

Cuba

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Literacy Rate

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99.71%

Ranked in the World

#21

Cyprus

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Literacy Rate

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99.06%

Ranked in the World

#32

Education Attainment

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74.5%

Ranked in the World

#12

Czech Republic

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#37

Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Literacy Rate

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77.22%

Ranked in the World

#163

Denmark

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#38

Education Attainment

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79.3%

Ranked in the World

#9

Djibouti

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Literacy Rate

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67.9%

Ranked in the World

#174

Dominica

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Literacy Rate

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94%

Ranked in the World

#117

Dominican Republic

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Literacy Rate

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92.47%

Ranked in the World

#127

East Timor

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Literacy Rate

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64.07%

Ranked in the World

#179

Ecuador

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Literacy Rate

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94.52%

Ranked in the World

#112

Education Attainment

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43.4%

Ranked in the World

#33

Egypt

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Literacy Rate

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75.84%

Ranked in the World

#165

El Salvador

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Literacy Rate

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87.65%

Ranked in the World

#139

Education Attainment

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33.6%

Ranked in the World

#40

Equatorial Guinea

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Literacy Rate

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95.2%

Ranked in the World

#103

Eritrea

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Literacy Rate

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73.85%

Ranked in the World

#167

Estonia

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Literacy Rate

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99.82%

Ranked in the World

#9

Education Attainment

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85.8%

Ranked in the World

#5

Eswatini

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Literacy Rate

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87.47%

Ranked in the World

#141

Ethiopia

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Literacy Rate

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49.03%

Ranked in the World

#191

Federated States of Micronesia

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Literacy Rate

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89%

Ranked in the World

#135

Fiji

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Literacy Rate

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93.7%

Ranked in the World

#120

Finland

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Literacy Rate

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100%

Ranked in the World

#2

France

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#39

Gabon

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Literacy Rate

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83.24%

Ranked in the World

#149

Georgia

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Literacy Rate

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99.76%

Ranked in the World

#17

Germany

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#40

Ghana

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Literacy Rate

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76.58%

Ranked in the World

#164

Greece

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Literacy Rate

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95.29%

Ranked in the World

#102

Education Attainment

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65.3%

Ranked in the World

#19

Grenada

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Literacy Rate

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96%

Ranked in the World

#90

Guam

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Literacy Rate

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99.79%

Ranked in the World

#12

Guatemala

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Literacy Rate

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79.07%

Ranked in the World

#159

Guinea

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Literacy Rate

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30.47%

Ranked in the World

#203

Guinea-Bissau

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Literacy Rate

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59.77%

Ranked in the World

#184

Guyana

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Literacy Rate

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87.54%

Ranked in the World

#140

Haiti

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Literacy Rate

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60.69%

Ranked in the World

#183

Honduras

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Literacy Rate

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88.42%

Ranked in the World

#137

Hong Kong

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Literacy Rate

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93.5%

Ranked in the World

#121

Hungary

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Literacy Rate

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99.38%

Ranked in the World

#28

Education Attainment

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80%

Ranked in the World

#7

Iceland

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#41

Education Attainment

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74.1%

Ranked in the World

#14

India

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Literacy Rate

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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

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Literacy Rate

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95.44%

Ranked in the World

#98

Education Attainment

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38.1%

Ranked in the World

#38

Iran

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Literacy Rate

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87.17%

Ranked in the World

#142

Iraq

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Literacy Rate

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79.72%

Ranked in the World

#155

Ireland

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#42

Israel

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Literacy Rate

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97.1%

Ranked in the World

#77

Italy

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Literacy Rate

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99.02%

Ranked in the World

#33

Education Attainment

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52.5%

Ranked in the World

#26

Ivory Coast

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Literacy Rate

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43.27%

Ranked in the World

#194

Jamaica

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Literacy Rate

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88.5%

Ranked in the World

#136

Japan

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#43

Jordan

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Literacy Rate

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98.01%

Ranked in the World

#64

Education Attainment

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50.2%

Ranked in the World

#28

Kazakhstan

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Literacy Rate

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99.79%

Ranked in the World

#13

Kenya

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Literacy Rate

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78.02%

Ranked in the World

#162

Kosovo

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Literacy Rate

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91.9%

Ranked in the World

#128

Kuwait

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Literacy Rate

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96.12%

Ranked in the World

#88

Kyrgyzstan

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Literacy Rate

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99.5%

Ranked in the World

#27

Laos

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Literacy Rate

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79.87%

Ranked in the World

#154

Latvia

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Literacy Rate

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99.89%

Ranked in the World

#8

Lebanon

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Literacy Rate

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94.05%

Ranked in the World

#116

Lesotho

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Literacy Rate

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79.36%

Ranked in the World

#157

Liberia

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Literacy Rate

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47.6%

Ranked in the World

#193

Libya

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Literacy Rate

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91.39%

Ranked in the World

#130

Liechtenstein

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Literacy Rate

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100%

Ranked in the World

#3

Lithuania

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Literacy Rate

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99.82%

Ranked in the World

#10

Education Attainment

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89.9%

Ranked in the World

#3

Luxembourg

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Literacy Rate

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100%

Ranked in the World

#4

Madagascar

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Literacy Rate

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64.66%

Ranked in the World

#177

Malawi

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Literacy Rate

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65.96%

Ranked in the World

#176

Malaysia

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Literacy Rate

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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

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Literacy Rate

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99.32%

Ranked in the World

#29

Mali

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Literacy Rate

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33.07%

Ranked in the World

#201

Education Attainment

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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

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Literacy Rate

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94.07%

Ranked in the World

#115

Education Attainment

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48.3%

Ranked in the World

#29

Marshall Islands

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Literacy Rate

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98.27%

Ranked in the World

#61

Mauritania

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Literacy Rate

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52.12%

Ranked in the World

#190

Mauritius

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Literacy Rate

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90.62%

Ranked in the World

#132

Mexico

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Literacy Rate

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94.55%

Ranked in the World

#111

Education Attainment

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38.6%

Ranked in the World

#37

Moldova

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Literacy Rate

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99.24%

Ranked in the World

#31

Monaco

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#44

Mongolia

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Literacy Rate

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98.37%

Ranked in the World

#60

Education Attainment

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45%

Ranked in the World

#31

Montenegro

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Literacy Rate

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98.72%

Ranked in the World

#56

Montserrat

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Literacy Rate

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97%

Ranked in the World

#78

Morocco

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Literacy Rate

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71.71%

Ranked in the World

#170

Mozambique

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Literacy Rate

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58.84%

Ranked in the World

#186

Myanmar

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Literacy Rate

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93.09%

Ranked in the World

#123

Namibia

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Literacy Rate

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90.82%

Ranked in the World

#131

Nepal

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Literacy Rate

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64.66%

Ranked in the World

#178

Netherlands

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#45

Education Attainment

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73%

Ranked in the World

#15

New Caledonia

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Literacy Rate

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96.94%

Ranked in the World

#81

New Zealand

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#46

Education Attainment

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75.1%

Ranked in the World

#11

Nicaragua

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Literacy Rate

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82.47%

Ranked in the World

#151

Niger

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Literacy Rate

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19.1%

Ranked in the World

#204

Nigeria

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Literacy Rate

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59.57%

Ranked in the World

#185

North Korea

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Literacy Rate

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100%

Ranked in the World

#5

Northern Mariana Islands

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Literacy Rate

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97%

Ranked in the World

#79

Norway

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Literacy Rate

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100%

Ranked in the World

#6

Oman

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Literacy Rate

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93.97%

Ranked in the World

#119

Education Attainment

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62.2%

Ranked in the World

#22

Pakistan

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Literacy Rate

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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

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Literacy Rate

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99.52%

Ranked in the World

#26

Palestine

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Literacy Rate

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96.67%

Ranked in the World

#83

Education Attainment

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45.9%

Ranked in the World

#30

Panama

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Literacy Rate

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95.04%

Ranked in the World

#105

Papua New Guinea

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Literacy Rate

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63.43%

Ranked in the World

#181

Paraguay

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Literacy Rate

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95.54%

Ranked in the World

#96

Education Attainment

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42.4%

Ranked in the World

#35

People's Republic of China

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Literacy Rate

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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

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Literacy Rate

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94.37%

Ranked in the World

#114

Philippines

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Literacy Rate

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96.62%

Ranked in the World

#86

Poland

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Literacy Rate

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99.79%

Ranked in the World

#14

Education Attainment

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87.8%

Ranked in the World

#4

Portugal

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Literacy Rate

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95.43%

Ranked in the World

#99

Education Attainment

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43.5%

Ranked in the World

#32

Puerto Rico

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Literacy Rate

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93.33%

Ranked in the World

#122

Qatar

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Literacy Rate

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97.76%

Ranked in the World

#73

Republic of Macedonia

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Literacy Rate

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97.84%

Ranked in the World

#70

Education Attainment

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68.3%

Ranked in the World

#18

Republic of the Congo

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Literacy Rate

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79.31%

Ranked in the World

#158

Romania

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Literacy Rate

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98.76%

Ranked in the World

#55

Russia

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Literacy Rate

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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

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Literacy Rate

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71.24%

Ranked in the World

#171

Saint Helena

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Literacy Rate

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97%

Ranked in the World

#80

Saint Kitts and Nevis

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Literacy Rate

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97.8%

Ranked in the World

#72

Saint Lucia

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Literacy Rate

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90.1%

Ranked in the World

#133

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#47

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

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Literacy Rate

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95.63%

Ranked in the World

#94

San Marino

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Literacy Rate

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96%

Ranked in the World

#91

São Tomé and Príncipe

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Literacy Rate

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91.75%

Ranked in the World

#129

Saudi Arabia

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Literacy Rate

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94.84%

Ranked in the World

#107

Education Attainment

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62.3%

Ranked in the World

#21

Senegal

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Literacy Rate

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55.62%

Ranked in the World

#189

Serbia

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Literacy Rate

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98%

Ranked in the World

#67

Seychelles

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Literacy Rate

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95.32%

Ranked in the World

#101

Sierra Leone

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Literacy Rate

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48.43%

Ranked in the World

#192

Singapore

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Literacy Rate

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96.77%

Ranked in the World

#82

Education Attainment

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74.5%

Ranked in the World

#13

Slovakia

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Literacy Rate

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99.6%

Ranked in the World

#25

Slovenia

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Literacy Rate

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99.71%

Ranked in the World

#22

Solomon Islands

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Literacy Rate

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84.1%

Ranked in the World

#148

Somalia

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Literacy Rate

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37.8%

Ranked in the World

#198

South Africa

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Literacy Rate

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94.6%

Ranked in the World

#109

South Korea

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Literacy Rate

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97.97%

Ranked in the World

#69

South Sudan

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Literacy Rate

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31.98%

Ranked in the World

#202

Spain

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Literacy Rate

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98.11%

Ranked in the World

#62

Education Attainment

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53.3%

Ranked in the World

#24

Sri Lanka

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Literacy Rate

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92.61%

Ranked in the World

#125

Education Attainment

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64.8%

Ranked in the World

#20

Sudan

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Literacy Rate

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58.6%

Ranked in the World

#187

Suriname

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Literacy Rate

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95.54%

Ranked in the World

#97

Sweden

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#48

Switzerland

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#49

Syria

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Literacy Rate

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86.3%

Ranked in the World

#144

Taiwan

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Literacy Rate

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96.1%

Ranked in the World

#89

Tajikistan

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Literacy Rate

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99.78%

Ranked in the World

#15

Tanzania

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Literacy Rate

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80.36%

Ranked in the World

#153

Thailand

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Literacy Rate

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93.98%

Ranked in the World

#118

The Bahamas

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Literacy Rate

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95.6%

Ranked in the World

#95

Togo

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Literacy Rate

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66.54%

Ranked in the World

#175

Trinidad and Tobago

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Literacy Rate

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98.97%

Ranked in the World

#52

Tunisia

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Literacy Rate

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81.05%

Ranked in the World

#152

Turkey

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Literacy Rate

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95.69%

Ranked in the World

#93

Turkmenistan

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Literacy Rate

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99.69%

Ranked in the World

#24

Turks and Caicos Islands

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Literacy Rate

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98%

Ranked in the World

#68

Uganda

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Literacy Rate

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73.81%

Ranked in the World

#168

Ukraine

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Literacy Rate

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99.76%

Ranked in the World

#18

United Arab Emirates

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Literacy Rate

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92.99%

Ranked in the World

#124

United Kingdom

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#50

Education Attainment

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79.9%

Ranked in the World

#8

United States of America

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Literacy Rate

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99%

Ranked in the World

#51

Education Attainment

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90.9%

Ranked in the World

#1

United States Virgin Islands

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Literacy Rate

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90%

Ranked in the World

#134

Uruguay

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Literacy Rate

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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

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Literacy Rate

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100%

Ranked in the World

#7

Vanuatu

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Literacy Rate

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85.06%

Ranked in the World

#147

Venezuela

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Literacy Rate

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95.4%

Ranked in the World

#100

Vietnam

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Literacy Rate

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94.51%

Ranked in the World

#113

Yemen

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Literacy Rate

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69.96%

Ranked in the World

#173

Zambia

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Literacy Rate

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85.12%

Ranked in the World

#146

Zimbabwe

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Literacy Rate

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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%.