Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in South Asia
South Asia: Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes was 44.1% in 2019. ▲ Rising
Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in South Asia, 1975–2019
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in South Asia is 44.1%, measured in 2019. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
The figure is up 2.2% on the previous year and up 30.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in South Asia peaked at 44.1% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 21.1%, in 1980.
That places South Asia 23rd out of 38 groups with data for 2019, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 45 years of available data.
Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in South Asia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 21.1% | — |
| 1976 | 21.1% | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 21.1% | -0.0% |
| 1978 | 21.1% | -0.1% |
| 1979 | 21.1% | -0.0% |
| 1980 | 21.1% | -0.1% |
| 1981 | 21.1% | +0.4% |
| 1982 | 21.1% | -0.2% |
| 1983 | 21.1% | +0.1% |
| 1984 | 21.1% | +0.1% |
| 1985 | 21.1% | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 21.1% | +0.1% |
| 1987 | 22.0% | +4.2% |
| 1988 | 25.3% | +14.7% |
| 1989 | 25.6% | +1.4% |
| 1990 | 25.9% | +1.1% |
| 1991 | 26.5% | +2.1% |
| 1992 | 26.2% | -1.1% |
| 1993 | 26.2% | -0.0% |
| 1994 | 26.1% | -0.5% |
| 1995 | 26.1% | -0.0% |
| 1996 | 26.2% | +0.5% |
| 1997 | 26.6% | +1.5% |
| 1998 | 33.1% | +24.6% |
| 1999 | 33.3% | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 33.5% | +0.5% |
| 2001 | 33.7% | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 33.8% | +0.2% |
| 2003 | 33.9% | +0.3% |
| 2004 | 33.9% | +0.1% |
| 2005 | 32.8% | -3.3% |
| 2006 | 33.8% | +3.2% |
| 2007 | 32.9% | -2.7% |
| 2008 | 33.8% | +2.5% |
| 2009 | 33.9% | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 38.5% | +13.6% |
| 2011 | 39.1% | +1.6% |
| 2012 | 38.9% | -0.4% |
| 2013 | 39.3% | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 40.0% | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 40.3% | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 41.6% | +3.3% |
| 2017 | 42.6% | +2.3% |
| 2018 | 43.1% | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 44.1% | +2.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 21.1% | 21.1% | 21.1% | 5 |
| 1980s | 22.1% | 21.1% | 25.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 27.6% | 25.9% | 33.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 33.6% | 32.8% | 33.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 40.7% | 38.5% | 44.1% | 10 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
More reference data data for South Asia
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 102.17 (2026)
- CPI Price, nominal 246.03 (2026)
- CPI Price, nominal, seas. adj. 247.05 (2026)
- School age population, one year before than official primary entry 16.19 million number (2019)
- School age population, one year before than official primary entry 33.83 million number (2019)
- School age population, one year before than official primary entry 17.64 million number (2019)
- School life expectancy, primary, both sexes 5.02 years (2019)
- School life expectancy, primary, male 5.06 years (2019)
- School life expectancy, primary, female 4.98 years (2019)
- Share of all students in secondary education enrolled in general 98.2% (2019)
Frequently asked questions
- What is elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in South Asia?
- Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in South Asia was 44.1% in 2019, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes recorded in South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 44.1% in 2019.
- What is the lowest elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.1% in 1980.
- How does South Asia rank for elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes?
- South Asia ranks 23rd out of 38 groups with data for 2019.
- Is elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 30.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Asia 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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About this data
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.