Illiterate population, 25-64 years, % female in South Asia
South Asia: Illiterate population, 25-64 years, % female was 64.1% in 2019. ▲ Rising
Illiterate population, 25-64 years, % female in South Asia, 1975–2019
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for illiterate population, 25-64 years, % female in South Asia is 64.1%, measured in 2019.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.1% on the previous year and down 1.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, illiterate population, 25-64 years, % female in South Asia peaked at 65.0% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 58.4%, 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 | 58.7% | 58.4% | 59.0% | 5 |
| 1980s | 59.8% | 59.1% | 60.2% | 10 |
| 1990s | 61.3% | 60.1% | 63.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 64.0% | 63.0% | 65.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 63.9% | 63.4% | 64.2% | 10 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
- 5 Sao Tome and Principe 73.9% compare
- 6 Nepal 73.6% compare
- 7 Peru 72.9% compare
- 8 Macau (China) 72.3% compare
- 9 China (People’s Republic of) 72.1% compare
- 10 Morocco 70.2% compare
- 11 Tunisia 70.1% 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 64.1% 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 65.0% in 2009.
- What is the lowest illiterate population, 25-64 years, % female recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 58.4% 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 1.3%. 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. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the adult illiterate population (age 25-64) that is female.