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

India: Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes was 45.4% in 2018. ▲ Rising

Latest (2018)
45.4%
World rank
59th
of 83 countries
All-time high
45.4%
in 2018
All-time low
21.5%
in 1981
Years of data
6
1981–2018

Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in India, 1981–2018

010203040501981199920181981: 21.5 %1991: 27.3 %2001: 35.6 %2006: 35.2 %2011: 41.6 %2018: 45.4 %

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.

Analysis

In 2018, elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in India stood at 45.4%. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.

The figure is up 28.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in India peaked at 45.4% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 21.5%, in 1981.

India ranks 59th of 83 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 21.5% 21.5% 21.5% 1
1990s 27.3% 27.3% 27.3% 1
2000s 35.4% 35.2% 35.6% 2
2010s 43.5% 41.6% 45.4% 2

Countries ranked near India

  1. 56 Cambodia 53.1% compare
  2. 57 Vanuatu 50.9% compare
  3. 58 Guatemala 50.7% compare
  4. 60 United Republic of Tanzania 43.5% compare
  5. 61 Uganda 42.0% compare
  6. 62 Cameroon 40.6% compare

See the full ranking of 122 places →

More reference data data for India

All data for India →

Frequently asked questions

What is elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in India?
Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in India was 45.4% in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes recorded in India?
The highest recorded value was 45.4% in 2018.
What is the lowest elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes recorded in India?
The lowest recorded value was 21.5% in 1981.
How does India rank for elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes?
India ranks 59th out of 83 countries with data for 2018.
Is elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes rising or falling in India?
Over the last ten years it is up 28.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this India 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 India. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 21 August 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/elderly-literacy-rate-population-65-years-both-sexes-percent/india/

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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.