Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia
Zambia: Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes was 85.0% in 2018. ▲ Rising
Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia, 1990–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2018, literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia stood at 85.0%. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of up 40.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia peaked at 85.0% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 60.6%, in 2007.
That places Zambia 55th out of 83 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 68.2% | — |
| 1999 | 69.2% | +1.5% |
| 2002 | 71.9% | +3.9% |
| 2007 | 60.6% | -15.7% |
| 2010 | 81.9% | +35.1% |
| 2018 | 85.0% | +3.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 68.7% | 68.2% | 69.2% | 2 |
| 2000s | 66.3% | 60.6% | 71.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 83.5% | 81.9% | 85.0% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More reference data data for Zambia
- Spring temperature anomalies -0.0386 (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies -0.018 (2026)
- Country level monthly temperature anomalies 0.3261 (2026)
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 19.51 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 19.51 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 19.51 (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.5273 (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies -0.2981 (2025)
- Consumer price index 483.32 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia?
- Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes in Zambia was 85.0% in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 85.0% in 2018.
- What is the lowest literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 60.6% in 2007.
- How does Zambia rank for literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes?
- Zambia ranks 55th out of 83 countries with data for 2018.
- Is literacy rate, population 25-64 years, both sexes rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 40.2%. 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 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.