Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Zambia
Zambia: Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes was 60.2% in 2018. ▲ Rising
Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Zambia, 1990–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Zambia is 60.2%, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of up 18.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Zambia peaked at 60.2% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 24.4%, in 1990.
That places Zambia 50th out of 83 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 24.4% | — |
| 1999 | 38.6% | +58.4% |
| 2002 | 46.2% | +19.6% |
| 2007 | 50.7% | +9.7% |
| 2010 | 52.3% | +3.3% |
| 2018 | 60.2% | +15.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 31.5% | 24.4% | 38.6% | 2 |
| 2000s | 48.4% | 46.2% | 50.7% | 2 |
| 2010s | 56.3% | 52.3% | 60.2% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 47 El Salvador 66.5% compare
- 48 Saudi Arabia 62.4% compare
- 49 Honduras 61.4% compare
- 51 Lao People's Democratic Republic 58.6% compare
- 52 Sao Tome and Principe 58.4% compare
- 53 Oman 56.9% compare
More reference data data for Zambia
- Spring temperature anomalies -0.0386 (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies -0.018 (2026)
- Country level monthly temperature anomalies 0.3261 (2026)
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 19.51 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 19.51 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 19.51 (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.5273 (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies -0.2981 (2025)
- Consumer price index 483.32 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Zambia?
- Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Zambia was 60.2% in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 60.2% in 2018.
- What is the lowest elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.4% in 1990.
- How does Zambia rank for elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes?
- Zambia ranks 50th out of 83 countries with data for 2018.
- Is elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 18.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zambia 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.