The global adult literacy rate varies significantly by country, with many nations having high literacy rates. Uzbekistan leads with a perfect rate, closely followed by Russia and Moldova. Several European and Pacific nations, including Hungary and Tonga, boast rates above 99%. South American and Middle Eastern countries exhibit ranges in the mid to low 90s, whereas nations in Africa, like Sierra Leone and Chad, face lower rates, some as low as 27.28%.
Recent variations indicate modest year-on-year increases in countries like El Salvador and Honduras. Conversely, a decrease was observed in South Africa. Looking at the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the past five years could provide an understanding of more stable progress or regression trends.
Future trends to watch for include technological advancements driving education access, policy influences, and socio-economic developments which could enhance literacy efforts, especially in regions with currently lower rates.
Top countries in Adult Literacy Rate by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Percent of Persons Aged 15+ | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Uzbekistan | 100 | 2022 | +0.0021% | +0.002% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Russia | 99.93 | 2021 | View data | ||
| 3 | 3 Moldova | 99.6 | 2021 | View data | ||
| 4 | 4 Tonga | 99.4 | 2021 | View data | ||
| 5 | 5 Hungary | 99.1 | 2021 | View data | ||
| 6 | 6 Samoa | 99.1 | 2021 | View data | ||
| 7 | 7 Montenegro | 98.98 | 2021 | View data | ||
| 8 | 8 Romania | 98.9 | 2021 | View data | ||
| 9 | 9 Spain | 98.59 | 2023 | +0.000083% | +0.032% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Albania | 98.5 | 2022 | View data |
