Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia
South Asia: Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes was 70.0% in 2019. ▲ Rising
Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia, 1975–2019
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia is 70.0%, measured in 2019. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
That represents a change of up 1.2% on the previous year and up 17.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia peaked at 70.0% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 31.6%, in 1975.
South Asia ranks 27th of 38 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 45 years of available data.
Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 31.6% | — |
| 1976 | 31.6% | +0.1% |
| 1977 | 32.3% | +2.2% |
| 1978 | 33.0% | +2.2% |
| 1979 | 33.7% | +2.2% |
| 1980 | 34.5% | +2.2% |
| 1981 | 35.5% | +2.9% |
| 1982 | 36.0% | +1.5% |
| 1983 | 36.8% | +2.1% |
| 1984 | 37.6% | +2.1% |
| 1985 | 38.3% | +2.0% |
| 1986 | 39.1% | +2.0% |
| 1987 | 39.7% | +1.7% |
| 1988 | 40.3% | +1.5% |
| 1989 | 40.9% | +1.4% |
| 1990 | 41.5% | +1.4% |
| 1991 | 42.0% | +1.3% |
| 1992 | 42.9% | +2.1% |
| 1993 | 43.8% | +2.0% |
| 1994 | 44.4% | +1.6% |
| 1995 | 45.1% | +1.6% |
| 1996 | 45.9% | +1.6% |
| 1997 | 46.6% | +1.7% |
| 1998 | 52.0% | +11.4% |
| 1999 | 52.6% | +1.2% |
| 2000 | 53.3% | +1.3% |
| 2001 | 54.1% | +1.5% |
| 2002 | 54.8% | +1.3% |
| 2003 | 55.7% | +1.6% |
| 2004 | 56.5% | +1.5% |
| 2005 | 55.8% | -1.2% |
| 2006 | 56.2% | +0.6% |
| 2007 | 57.2% | +1.8% |
| 2008 | 59.0% | +3.2% |
| 2009 | 59.8% | +1.3% |
| 2010 | 61.9% | +3.5% |
| 2011 | 62.4% | +0.8% |
| 2012 | 63.2% | +1.4% |
| 2013 | 63.9% | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 64.7% | +1.3% |
| 2015 | 66.0% | +2.0% |
| 2016 | 67.6% | +2.4% |
| 2017 | 68.2% | +1.0% |
| 2018 | 69.1% | +1.3% |
| 2019 | 70.0% | +1.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 32.4% | 31.6% | 33.7% | 5 |
| 1980s | 37.9% | 34.5% | 40.9% | 10 |
| 1990s | 45.7% | 41.5% | 52.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 56.3% | 53.3% | 59.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 65.7% | 61.9% | 70.0% | 10 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
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 16.19 million number (2019)
- School age population, one year before than official primary entry 33.83 million number (2019)
- School age population, one year before than official primary entry 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 98.2% (2019)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia?
- Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in South Asia was 70.0% in 2019, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 70.0% in 2019.
- What is the lowest literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.6% in 1975.
- How does South Asia rank for literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes?
- South Asia ranks 27th out of 38 groups with data for 2019.
- Is literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.1%. 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 Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Percentage of the population between age 25 and age 64 who can, with understanding, read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life. Generally, ‘literacy’ also encompasses ‘numeracy’, the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations. This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of literates aged 25-64 years by the corresponding age group population and multiplying the result by 100.