Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Egypt

Egypt: Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes was 32.9% in 2017. ▲ Rising

Latest (2017)
32.9%
World rank
69th
of 83 countries
All-time high
39.4%
in 2010
All-time low
17.9%
in 1976
Years of data
9
1976–2017

Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Egypt, 1976–2017

0102030401976199620171976: 17.9 %1986: 20 %1996: 23.3 %2005: 23.1 %2006: 26.8 %2010: 39.4 %2012: 35.1 %2013: 33.6 %2017: 32.9 %

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.

Analysis

The most recent figure for elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Egypt is 32.9%, measured in 2017.

That represents a change of up 22.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Egypt peaked at 39.4% in 2010 and was at its lowest, 17.9%, in 1976.

Egypt ranks 69th of 83 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Egypt, year by year

Annual values for Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes (%) in Egypt, 1976 to 2017.
Year % Change
1976 17.9%
1986 20.0% +11.8%
1996 23.3% +16.6%
2005 23.1% -0.9%
2006 26.8% +16.1%
2010 39.4% +47.3%
2012 35.1% -11.0%
2013 33.6% -4.1%
2017 32.9% -2.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 17.9% 17.9% 17.9% 1
1980s 20.0% 20.0% 20.0% 1
1990s 23.3% 23.3% 23.3% 1
2000s 24.9% 23.1% 26.8% 2
2010s 35.3% 32.9% 39.4% 4

Countries ranked near Egypt

  1. 66 Malawi 35.1% compare
  2. 67 Morocco 34.1% compare
  3. 68 Algeria 33.5% compare
  4. 70 Central African Republic 32.8% compare
  5. 71 Mozambique 31.1% compare
  6. 72 Burundi 30.8% compare

See the full ranking of 122 places →

More reference data data for Egypt

All data for Egypt →

Frequently asked questions

What is elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Egypt?
Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Egypt was 32.9% in 2017, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes recorded in Egypt?
The highest recorded value was 39.4% in 2010.
What is the lowest elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes recorded in Egypt?
The lowest recorded value was 17.9% in 1976.
How does Egypt rank for elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes?
Egypt ranks 69th out of 83 countries with data for 2017.
Is elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Egypt?
Over the last ten years it is up 22.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Egypt data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Egypt. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 27 August 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/elderly-literacy-rate-population-65-years-both-sexes-percent/egypt-arab-rep/

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About this data

Indicator
Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes (%)
Unit
%
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
122 places, 2,190 data points, 1970–2019
Last refreshed

Percentage of the population age 65 and above who can, with understanding, read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life. Generally, ‘literacy’ also encompasses ‘numeracy’, the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations. This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of literates aged 65 years and over by the corresponding age group population and multiplying the result by 100.