Least developed countries vs South Africa: Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, adjusted gender parity

Least developed countries
0.8143 GPIA
in 2019
South Africa
0.9861 GPIA
in 2017
Least developed countries rank
31st
South Africa rank
30th

Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, adjusted gender parity over time

  • Least developed countries
  • South Africa
00.20.40.60.81198019992019

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 0.9861 GPIA against 0.8143 GPIA in Least developed countries, a difference of 0.1718 GPIA.

That makes South Africa's figure about 1.2 times Least developed countries's.

Across all 9 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.

Least developed countries ranks 31st and South Africa ranks 30th of 37 groups.

South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Least developed countries South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 0.6603 GPIA 0.9626 GPIA 0.3023 GPIA South Africa
2000s 0.7357 GPIA 0.9672 GPIA 0.2315 GPIA South Africa
2010s 0.7686 GPIA 0.978 GPIA 0.2093 GPIA South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, adjusted gender parity, Least developed countries or South Africa?
South Africa, at 0.9861 GPIA against 0.8143 GPIA in Least developed countries as of 2017.
What is the difference in adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, adjusted gender parity between Least developed countries and South Africa?
0.1718 GPIA, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Least developed countries and South Africa?
9 years are reported by both, from 1996 to 2017.
How do Least developed countries and South Africa rank globally for adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, adjusted gender parity?
Least developed countries ranks 31st and South Africa ranks 30th of 37 groups.
Where does this data come from?
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, adjusted gender parity index (GPIA). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Least developed countries vs South Africa: Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, adjusted gender parity. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 11 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/compare/adult-literacy-rate-population-15-years-adjusted-gender-parity-index-gpia/least-developed-countries-un-classification/south-africa/

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<a href="https://reference.statizoid.com/compare/adult-literacy-rate-population-15-years-adjusted-gender-parity-index-gpia/least-developed-countries-un-classification/south-africa/">Least developed countries vs South Africa: Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, adjusted gender parity</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator
Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, adjusted gender parity index (GPIA)
Unit
GPIA
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
124 places, 2,183 data points, 1970–2019
Last refreshed

The Adjusted Gender Parity Index (GPIA) is calculated by dividing the female value for the indicator by the male value for the indicator. If the resulting value exceeds 1, the ratio is inverted and subtracted from 2. The adjusted gender parity index is symmetrical around 1 and lies in the range 0-2. An adjusted GPI equal to 1 indicates parity between females and males. In general, a value less than 1 indicates disparity in favor of males and a value greater than 1 indicates disparity in favor of females. For more information, consult the UNESCO Institute for Statistics: http://uis.unesco.org/