Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia
South Asia: Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes was 261.74 million number in 2019. ▲ Rising
Latest (2019)
261.74 million number
Change on year
down 0.9%
Rank
7th
of 38 groups
All-time high
285.19 million number
in 2007
All-time low
199.96 million number
in 1975
Years of data
45
1975–2019
Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia, 1975–2019
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia is 261.74 million number, measured in 2019.
The figure is down 0.9% on the previous year and down 7.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia peaked at 285.19 million number in 2007 and was at its lowest, 199.96 million number, in 1975.
That places South Asia 7th out of 38 groups with data for 2019, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 45 years of available data.
Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 199.96 million number | — |
| 1976 | 204.34 million number | +2.2% |
| 1977 | 207.29 million number | +1.4% |
| 1978 | 210.53 million number | +1.6% |
| 1979 | 213.95 million number | +1.6% |
| 1980 | 217.39 million number | +1.6% |
| 1981 | 219.34 million number | +0.9% |
| 1982 | 223.25 million number | +1.8% |
| 1983 | 226.39 million number | +1.4% |
| 1984 | 229.71 million number | +1.5% |
| 1985 | 233.28 million number | +1.6% |
| 1986 | 236.28 million number | +1.3% |
| 1987 | 239.94 million number | +1.6% |
| 1988 | 244.11 million number | +1.7% |
| 1989 | 248.60 million number | +1.8% |
| 1990 | 253.16 million number | +1.8% |
| 1991 | 257.50 million number | +1.7% |
| 1992 | 260.20 million number | +1.0% |
| 1993 | 263.11 million number | +1.1% |
| 1994 | 266.94 million number | +1.5% |
| 1995 | 270.73 million number | +1.4% |
| 1996 | 273.89 million number | +1.2% |
| 1997 | 276.92 million number | +1.1% |
| 1998 | 255.75 million number | -7.6% |
| 1999 | 258.78 million number | +1.2% |
| 2000 | 261.65 million number | +1.1% |
| 2001 | 262.92 million number | +0.5% |
| 2002 | 265.85 million number | +1.1% |
| 2003 | 267.09 million number | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 268.87 million number | +0.7% |
| 2005 | 279.95 million number | +4.1% |
| 2006 | 281.27 million number | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 285.19 million number | +1.4% |
| 2008 | 280.42 million number | -1.7% |
| 2009 | 281.46 million number | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 273.37 million number | -2.9% |
| 2011 | 274.94 million number | +0.6% |
| 2012 | 276.15 million number | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 277.50 million number | +0.5% |
| 2014 | 277.40 million number | -0.0% |
| 2015 | 273.46 million number | -1.4% |
| 2016 | 266.59 million number | -2.5% |
| 2017 | 266.50 million number | -0.0% |
| 2018 | 263.98 million number | -0.9% |
| 2019 | 261.74 million number | -0.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 207.22 million number | 199.96 million number | 213.95 million number | 5 |
| 1980s | 231.83 million number | 217.39 million number | 248.60 million number | 10 |
| 1990s | 263.70 million number | 253.16 million number | 276.92 million number | 10 |
| 2000s | 273.47 million number | 261.65 million number | 285.19 million number | 10 |
| 2010s | 271.16 million number | 261.74 million number | 277.50 million number | 10 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
- 4 Bangladesh 23.23 million number compare
- 5 Egypt 13.77 million number compare
- 6 China (People’s Republic of) 13.21 million number compare
- 7 Brazil 6.31 million number compare
- 8 Iran, Islamic Republic of 5.49 million number compare
- 9 Morocco 5.09 million number compare
- 10 Côte d'Ivoire 4.98 million number compare
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 age 16.19 million number (2019)
- School age population, one year before than official primary entry age 33.83 million number (2019)
- School age population, one year before than official primary entry age 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 progr 98.2% (2019)
Frequently asked questions
- What is illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia?
- Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia was 261.74 million number in 2019, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 285.19 million number in 2007.
- What is the lowest illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 199.96 million number in 1975.
- How does South Asia rank for illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes?
- South Asia ranks 7th out of 38 groups with data for 2019.
- Is illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.0%. 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 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.