Illiterate population, 25-64 years, female in South Asia
South Asia: Illiterate population, 25-64 years, female was 167.82 million number in 2019. ▲ Rising
Illiterate population, 25-64 years, female in South Asia, 1975–2019
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
South Asia recorded 167.82 million number for illiterate population, 25-64 years, female in 2019.
The figure is down 0.9% on the previous year and down 8.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, illiterate population, 25-64 years, female in South Asia peaked at 183.50 million number in 2007 and was at its lowest, 116.87 million number, in 1975.
South Asia ranks 8th of 38 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 45 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 121.59 million number | 116.87 million number | 126.17 million number | 5 |
| 1980s | 138.64 million number | 128.55 million number | 149.67 million number | 10 |
| 1990s | 161.76 million number | 152.60 million number | 170.34 million number | 10 |
| 2000s | 174.98 million number | 165.24 million number | 183.50 million number | 10 |
| 2010s | 173.22 million number | 167.82 million number | 176.84 million number | 10 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
- 5 China (People’s Republic of) 9.52 million number compare
- 6 Egypt, Arab Republic of 8.29 million number compare
- 7 Iran, Islamic Republic of 3.79 million number compare
- 8 Morocco 3.57 million number compare
- 9 Nepal 3.36 million number compare
- 10 Indonesia 2.93 million number compare
- 11 Brazil 2.80 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, female in South Asia?
- Illiterate population, 25-64 years, female in South Asia was 167.82 million number in 2019, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest illiterate population, 25-64 years, female recorded in South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 183.50 million number in 2007.
- What is the lowest illiterate population, 25-64 years, female recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 116.87 million number in 1975.
- How does South Asia rank for illiterate population, 25-64 years, female?
- South Asia ranks 8th out of 38 groups with data for 2019.
- Is illiterate population, 25-64 years, female rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.2%. 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, female (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total number of females from age 25 to age 64 who cannot both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life.