How does Nigeria rank for elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes?

Nigeria ranks 7th out of 82 countries with data for 2018.

Is elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Nigeria?

Over the last ten years it is up 16.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Nigeria data come from?

The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes in Nigeria

Name: Elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes in Nigeria
Creator: UNESCO Institute for Statistics
License: CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)

Nigeria: Elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes was 3.86 million number in 2018. ▲ Rising

Latest (2018)

3.86 million number

World rank

7th

of 82 countries

All-time high

3.86 million number

in 2018

All-time low

2.25 million number

in 1991

Years of data

1991–2018

Elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes in Nigeria, 1991–2018

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.

Analysis

In 2018, elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes in Nigeria stood at 3.86 million number. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 16.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes in Nigeria peaked at 3.86 million number in 2018 and was at its lowest, 2.25 million number, in 1991.

That places Nigeria 7th out of 82 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top 10%.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1990s	2.25 million number	2.25 million number	2.25 million number	1
2000s	2.88 million number	2.33 million number	3.32 million number	3
2010s	3.86 million number	3.86 million number	3.86 million number	1

Countries ranked near Nigeria

4 Bangladesh 5.16 million number compare
5 Indonesia 4.05 million number compare
6 Brazil 4.01 million number compare
8 Egypt 3.45 million number compare
9 Iran 2.91 million number compare
10 Algeria 1.79 million number compare

See the full ranking of 120 places →

More reference data data for Nigeria

Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.77 (2050)
Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 19.51 (2050)
Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 27 (2050)
Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.62 (2050)
Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 27 (2050)
Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 5.94 (2050)
Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 5.8 (2050)
Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 81.9 (2050)
Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 121.16 (2050)
Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 14.27 (2050)

All data for Nigeria →

Frequently asked questions

What is elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes in Nigeria?: Elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes in Nigeria was 3.86 million number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?: The highest recorded value was 3.86 million number in 2018.
What is the lowest elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?: The lowest recorded value was 2.25 million number in 1991.
How does Nigeria rank for elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes?: Nigeria ranks 7th out of 82 countries with data for 2018.
Is elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Nigeria?: Over the last ten years it is up 16.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Nigeria data come from?: The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator: Elderly illiterate population, 65+ years, both sexes (number)
Unit: number
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage: 120 places, 2,196 data points, 1970–2019
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Total number of adults over age 65 who cannot both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life.