What counts as literacy in these statistics?

UNESCO defines literacy as the ability to read and write a short, simple statement about one's everyday life with understanding. The adult literacy rate is the percentage of people aged 15 and over who meet that standard. It is a basic threshold, not a measure of advanced or functional literacy.

What is the difference between adult and youth literacy?

Adult literacy covers everyone aged 15 and over, while youth literacy covers only ages 15 to 24. Youth rates are usually higher because schooling has expanded over time, so a rising youth rate signals that literacy will improve as older generations are replaced.

What does the gender gap column show?

It is the male literacy rate minus the female rate, in percentage points. A positive number means men are more literate than women, which is common in countries with limited schooling for girls. A gap near zero indicates roughly equal access to education between the sexes.

Which countries have the lowest literacy rates?

The lowest adult literacy rates are concentrated in parts of West and Central Africa and in Afghanistan, where some fall below 40%. Female rates in these countries are often far lower than male rates, reflecting barriers to girls' education.

Are these figures exact?

No. Literacy is measured by national censuses and surveys using varying methods and reference years, and self-reported data can overstate ability. The figures here are approximate UNESCO-style estimates rounded for reference, not precise current measurements.

Literacy Rate by Country Reference

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Literacy rates across the world

This reference shows literacy rates for major countries: the adult rate (ages 15+), the youth rate (ages 15–24), and male and female adult rates, plus the gender gap in percentage points. Sort by adult, youth or female rate, and filter by country or region.

How it works

The core figure is the adult literacy rate — the share of people aged 15 and over who can read and write a short, simple statement, as defined by UNESCO. It is a basic threshold rather than a test of advanced reading.

Two further breakdowns add depth. The youth literacy rate (ages 15–24) tracks the most recently schooled generation and usually sits above the adult rate; the gap between them shows how fast literacy is improving. The gender breakdown reports male and female rates separately, and the gap column subtracts the female rate from the male rate. A large positive gap signals that girls have had less access to education — a pattern concentrated in the lowest- literacy countries.

Notes and caveats

Literacy here means a basic read-and-write threshold, not functional or advanced literacy.
Youth rates above adult rates indicate improving schooling over time.
A wide gender gap reflects unequal access to education, not differences in ability.
Figures come from censuses and surveys of differing years and methods and are approximate UNESCO-style estimates rounded for reference.