Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia
Zambia: Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes was 836,095 number in 2018. ▲ Rising
Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia, 1990–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia is 836,095 number, measured in 2018.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 43.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia peaked at 1.48 million number in 2007 and was at its lowest, 748,373 number, in 2010.
That places Zambia 38th out of 83 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 769,967 number | — |
| 1999 | 935,274 number | +21.5% |
| 2002 | 865,502 number | -7.5% |
| 2007 | 1.48 million number | +70.8% |
| 2010 | 748,373 number | -49.4% |
| 2018 | 836,095 number | +11.7% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 836,095 number is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 1.31 million number, 64% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 836,095 number is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.58 million number, 32% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 852,620 number | 769,967 number | 935,274 number | 2 |
| 2000s | 1.17 million number | 865,502 number | 1.48 million number | 2 |
| 2010s | 792,234 number | 748,373 number | 836,095 number | 2 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More reference data data for Zambia
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Political opposition, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Elected parliament and government, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Global number of reported disasters by size, gaps filled 0 events (2025)
- Annual precipitation, annual growth rate 40.84 % change on previous year (2025)
- Free country, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia?
- Illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia was 836,095 number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 1.48 million number in 2007.
- What is the lowest illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 748,373 number in 2010.
- How does Zambia rank for illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes?
- Zambia ranks 38th out of 83 countries with data for 2018.
- Is illiterate population, 25-64 years, both sexes rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 43.4%. 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 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.