Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in IBRD only
IBRD only: Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes was 264.75 million number in 2019. ▼ Falling
Latest (2019)
264.75 million number
Change on year
down 2.2%
Rank
7th
of 39 groups
All-time high
439.64 million number
in 1987
All-time low
264.75 million number
in 2019
Years of data
45
1975–2019
Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in IBRD only, 1975–2019
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
In 2019, illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in IBRD only stood at 264.75 million number. That is the lowest value across all 45 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.2% on the previous year and down 12.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in IBRD only peaked at 439.64 million number in 1987 and was at its lowest, 264.75 million number, in 2019.
IBRD only ranks 7th of 39 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 45 years of available data.
Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in IBRD only, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 408.30 million number | — |
| 1976 | 417.57 million number | +2.3% |
| 1977 | 426.20 million number | +2.1% |
| 1978 | 429.37 million number | +0.7% |
| 1979 | 432.40 million number | +0.7% |
| 1980 | 437.44 million number | +1.2% |
| 1981 | 436.52 million number | -0.2% |
| 1982 | 428.15 million number | -1.9% |
| 1983 | 439.15 million number | +2.6% |
| 1984 | 438.55 million number | -0.1% |
| 1985 | 439.24 million number | +0.2% |
| 1986 | 439.31 million number | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 439.64 million number | +0.1% |
| 1988 | 412.89 million number | -6.1% |
| 1989 | 412.69 million number | -0.0% |
| 1990 | 411.33 million number | -0.3% |
| 1991 | 411.55 million number | +0.1% |
| 1992 | 409.68 million number | -0.5% |
| 1993 | 408.43 million number | -0.3% |
| 1994 | 406.84 million number | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 404.10 million number | -0.7% |
| 1996 | 402.00 million number | -0.5% |
| 1997 | 357.24 million number | -11.1% |
| 1998 | 331.98 million number | -7.1% |
| 1999 | 329.65 million number | -0.7% |
| 2000 | 320.16 million number | -2.9% |
| 2001 | 322.36 million number | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 319.91 million number | -0.8% |
| 2003 | 313.31 million number | -2.1% |
| 2004 | 309.29 million number | -1.3% |
| 2005 | 316.13 million number | +2.2% |
| 2006 | 317.75 million number | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 309.95 million number | -2.5% |
| 2008 | 306.83 million number | -1.0% |
| 2009 | 303.24 million number | -1.2% |
| 2010 | 293.09 million number | -3.3% |
| 2011 | 291.20 million number | -0.6% |
| 2012 | 288.62 million number | -0.9% |
| 2013 | 288.25 million number | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 281.79 million number | -2.2% |
| 2015 | 277.18 million number | -1.6% |
| 2016 | 276.32 million number | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 273.98 million number | -0.8% |
| 2018 | 270.60 million number | -1.2% |
| 2019 | 264.75 million number | -2.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 422.77 million number | 408.30 million number | 432.40 million number | 5 |
| 1980s | 432.36 million number | 412.69 million number | 439.64 million number | 10 |
| 1990s | 387.28 million number | 329.65 million number | 411.55 million number | 10 |
| 2000s | 313.89 million number | 303.24 million number | 322.36 million number | 10 |
| 2010s | 280.58 million number | 264.75 million number | 293.09 million number | 10 |
Countries ranked near IBRD only
More reference data data for IBRD only
- School age population, one year before than official primary entry 76.29 million number (2019)
- School age population, one year before than official primary entry 36.53 million number (2019)
- School age population, one year before than official primary entry 39.76 million number (2019)
- School life expectancy, primary, both sexes 5.63 years (2019)
- School life expectancy, primary, female 5.62 years (2019)
- School life expectancy, primary, male 5.64 years (2019)
- Share of all students in secondary education enrolled in general 89.2% (2019)
- School life expectancy, pre-primary, both sexes 1.93 years (2019)
- Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, adjusted gender parity 1.16 GPIA (2019)
- Teachers in primary education, male 6.41 million number (2019)
Frequently asked questions
- What is illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in IBRD only?
- Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in IBRD only was 264.75 million number in 2019, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in IBRD only?
- The highest recorded value was 439.64 million number in 1987.
- What is the lowest illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in IBRD only?
- The lowest recorded value was 264.75 million number in 2019.
- How does IBRD only rank for illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes?
- IBRD only ranks 7th out of 39 groups with data for 2019.
- Is illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes rising or falling in IBRD only?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this IBRD only data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total number of adults from age 25 to age 64 who cannot both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life.