What is the highest illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?

The highest recorded value was 28.54 million number in 2018.

What is the lowest illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?

The lowest recorded value was 15.54 million number in 2006.

How does Nigeria rank for illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes?

Nigeria ranks 3rd out of 83 countries with data for 2018.

Is illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes rising or falling in Nigeria?

Over the last ten years it is up 7.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.

Where does this Nigeria 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.

Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Nigeria

Name: Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Nigeria
Creator: UNESCO Institute for Statistics
License: CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)

Nigeria: Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes was 28.54 million number in 2018. ▲ Rising

Latest (2018)

28.54 million number

World rank

3rd

of 83 countries

All-time high

28.54 million number

in 2018

All-time low

15.54 million number

in 2006

Years of data

1991–2018

Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Nigeria, 1991–2018

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.

Analysis

The most recent figure for illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Nigeria is 28.54 million number, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 7.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Nigeria peaked at 28.54 million number in 2018 and was at its lowest, 15.54 million number, in 2006.

Nigeria ranks 3rd of 83 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1990s	16.41 million number	16.41 million number	16.41 million number	1
2000s	21.26 million number	15.54 million number	26.58 million number	3
2010s	28.54 million number	28.54 million number	28.54 million number	1

Countries ranked near Nigeria

1 India 186.67 million number compare
2 Pakistan 39.83 million number compare
4 Bangladesh 23.23 million number compare
5 Egypt 13.77 million number compare
6 China 13.21 million number compare

See the full ranking of 122 places →

More reference data data for Nigeria

Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.77 (2050)
Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 19.51 (2050)
Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 27 (2050)
Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.62 (2050)
Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 27 (2050)
Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 5.94 (2050)
Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 5.8 (2050)
Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 81.9 (2050)
Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 121.16 (2050)
Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 14.27 (2050)

All data for Nigeria →

Frequently asked questions

What is illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Nigeria?: Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Nigeria was 28.54 million number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?: The highest recorded value was 28.54 million number in 2018.
What is the lowest illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?: The lowest recorded value was 15.54 million number in 2006.
How does Nigeria rank for illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes?: Nigeria ranks 3rd out of 83 countries with data for 2018.
Is illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes rising or falling in Nigeria?: Over the last ten years it is up 7.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Nigeria 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.

Download this data

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About this data

Indicator: Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes (number)
Unit: number
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage: 122 places, 2,239 data points, 1970–2019
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

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.