Literacy is the ability to read and write, and it is one of the most important skills for personal and professional development. Literacy also enables people to access information, communicate effectively, and participate in social and civic activities. However, not everyone in the world has the opportunity to acquire literacy skills, and many countries still struggle with low literacy rates.
According to the World Population Review, the global literacy rate for all people aged 15 and above is 86.3% as of 2023. However, there are huge disparities among regions and countries, with some countries having literacy rates below 50%. Most of the countries with the lowest literacy rates are located in South Asia, West Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, regions that also face challenges such as poverty, conflict, and gender inequality.
Top 10 Countries with Lowest Literacy Rate in World
In this article, we will look at the top 10 countries with the lowest literacy rates in 2023, based on the latest available data from various sources. We will also explore some of the factors that contribute to low literacy levels and some of the initiatives that are being taken to improve them.
10. Chad
Chad is a landlocked country in Central Africa, with a population of about 16.9 million people. Chad has a literacy rate of 40.02%, which means that more than half of its population cannot read or write. Chad faces many challenges that affect its education systems, such as poverty, conflict, displacement, drought, and disease. According to UNESCO, only 28% of children complete primary school in Chad and only 8% complete lower secondary school. The gender gap is also significant, with only 34% of women being literate compared to 47% of men.
Some of the initiatives that are being implemented to improve literacy in Chad include:
- The Education Sector Plan (2018-2022), aims to increase access, quality, and equity of education for all children and youth.
- The Global Partnership for Education (GPE), supports Chad with grants to strengthen its education system and improve learning outcomes.
- The Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), provides alternative education opportunities for out-of-school children and youth.
- The Non-Formal Education Program (NFE), offers literacy and numeracy classes for adults and adolescents.
9. Benin
Benin is a West African country with a population of about 12.6 million people. Benin has a literacy rate of 42.36%, which means that more than half of its population cannot read or write. Benin faces many challenges that affect its education systems, such as poverty, inequality, low enrollment and retention rates, high dropout rates, poor infrastructure and learning materials, and low teacher quality. According to UNESCO, only 53% of children complete primary school in Benin and only 19% complete lower secondary school. The gender gap is also significant, with only 37% of women being literate compared to 48% of men.
Some of the initiatives that are being implemented to improve literacy in Benin include:
- The Education Sector Plan (2018-2030), aims to ensure universal access to quality education for all children and youth.
- The Global Partnership for Education (GPE), supports Benin with grants to improve access, quality, and governance of education.
- The Literacy Enhancement Project (LEP), provides literacy classes for adults and adolescents in rural areas.
- The Girls’ Education Project (GEP), promotes girls’ enrollment and retention in school through scholarships, mentoring, and awareness campaigns.
8. Afghanistan
Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South Asia, with a population of about 39.8 million people. Afghanistan has a literacy rate of 43.02%, which means that more than half of its population cannot read or write. Afghanistan faces many challenges that affect its education system, such as conflict, insecurity, displacement, poverty, cultural barriers, and gender discrimination. According to UNESCO, only 54% of children complete primary school in Afghanistan and only 36% complete lower secondary school. The gender gap is also significant, with only 30% of women being literate compared to 55% of men.
Some of the initiatives that are being implemented to improve literacy in Afghanistan include:
- The National Education Strategic Plan (2017-2021), aims to increase access, quality, and equity of education for all children and youth.
- The Global Partnership for Education (GPE), supports Afghanistan with grants to improve learning outcomes and system performance.
- Community-Based Education (CBE), provides education opportunities for out-of-school children and youth in remote and insecure areas.
- The Literacy for Empowerment (LIFE), offers literacy and livelihood skills training for adults and adolescents.
7. Somalia
Somalia is a country in the Horn of Africa, with a population of about 16.4 million people. Somalia has a literacy rate of 37.8%, which means that more than half of its population cannot read or write. Somalia faces many challenges that affect its education system, such as conflict, instability, displacement, poverty, drought, and famine. According to UNESCO, only 30% of children complete primary school in Somalia and only 10% complete lower secondary school. The gender gap is also significant, with only 26% of women being literate compared to 49% of men.
Some of the initiatives that are being implemented to improve literacy in Somalia include:
- The Education Sector Strategic Plan (2018-2020), aims to provide access to quality education for all children and youth.
- The Global Partnership for Education (GPE), supports Somalia with grants to strengthen its education system and improve learning outcomes.
- The Alternative Basic Education for Pastoralists (ABE), provides education opportunities for nomadic children and youth.
- The Non-Formal Education Program (NFE), offers literacy and numeracy classes for adults and adolescents.
6. Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, with a population of about 21.5 million people. Burkina Faso has a literacy rate of 41.22%. which means that more than half of its population cannot read or write. Burkina Faso faces many challenges that affect its education systems, such as poverty, inequality, low enrollment and retention rates, high dropout rates, poor infrastructure and learning materials, and low teacher quality. According to UNESCO, only 65% of children complete primary school in Burkina Faso and only 28% complete lower secondary school. The gender gap is also significant, with only 36% of women being literate compared to 46% of men.
Some of the initiatives that are being implemented to improve literacy in Burkina Faso include:
- The Education Sector Plan (2017-2030), aims to ensure universal access to quality education for all children and youth.
- The Global Partnership for Education (GPE), supports Burkina Faso with grants to improve access, quality, and governance of education.
- The Non-Formal Basic Education Program (NFBE), provides literacy and numeracy classes for adults and adolescents.
- The Girls’ Education Project (GEP), promotes girls’ enrollment and retention in school through scholarships, mentoring, and awareness campaigns.
5. Central African Republic
The Central African Republic is a landlocked country in Central Africa, with a population of about 4.9 million people. The Central African Republic has a literacy rate of 36.75%, which means that more than half of its population cannot read or write. The Central African Republic faces many challenges that affect its education systems, such as conflict, insecurity, displacement, poverty, disease, and malnutrition. According to UNESCO, only 36% of children complete primary school in the Central African Republic and only 13% complete lower secondary school. The gender gap is also significant, with only 29% of women being literate compared to 44% of men.
Some of the initiatives that are being implemented to improve literacy in the Central African Republic include:
- The Education Sector Plan (2018-2022), aims to increase access, quality, and equity of education for all children and youth.
- The Global Partnership for Education (GPE), supports the Central African Republic with grants to strengthen its education system and improve learning outcomes.
- The Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), provides alternative education opportunities for out-of-school children and youth.
- The Non-Formal Education Program (NFE), offers literacy and numeracy classes for adults and adolescents.
4. Mali
Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, with a population of about 20.8 million people. Mali has a literacy rate of 35.47%, which means that more than half of its population cannot read or write. Mali faces many challenges that affect its education systems, such as poverty, conflict, displacement, drought, and disease. According to UNESCO, only 54% of children complete primary school in Mali and only 23% complete lower secondary school. The gender gap is also significant, with only 28% of women being literate compared to 43%.
3. South Sudan
South Sudan is a landlocked country in East Africa, with a population of about 11.3 million people. South Sudan has a literacy rate of 34.52%, which means that more than half of its population cannot read or write. South Sudan faces many challenges that affect its education system, such as conflict, insecurity, displacement, poverty, famine, and disease. According to UNESCO, only 27% of children complete primary school in South Sudan, and only 5% complete lower secondary school. The gender gap is also significant, with only 24% of women being literate compared to 45% of men.
Some of the initiatives that are being implemented to improve literacy in South Sudan include:
- The General Education Strategic Plan (2017-2022), which aims to provide access to quality education for all children and youth.
- The Global Partnership for Education (GPE), which supports South Sudan with grants to improve learning outcomes and system performance.
- The Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), which provides alternative education opportunities for out-of-school children and youth.
- The Non-Formal Education Program (NFE), which offers literacy and numeracy classes for adults and adolescents.
2. Guinea
Guinea is a West African country with a population of about 13.6 million people. Guinea has a literacy rate of 30.47%, which means that more than half of its population cannot read or write. Guinea faces many challenges that affect its education system, such as poverty, inequality, low enrollment and retention rates, high dropout rates, poor infrastructure and learning materials, and low teacher quality. According to UNESCO, only 62% of children complete primary school in Guinea, and only 16% complete lower secondary school. The gender gap is also significant, with only 25% of women being literate compared to 36% of men.
Some of the initiatives that are being implemented to improve literacy in Guinea include:
- The Education Sector Plan (2015-2025), which aims to ensure universal access to quality education for all children and youth.
- The Global Partnership for Education (GPE), which supports Guinea with grants to improve access, quality, and governance of education.
- The Non-Formal Basic Education Program (NFBE), which provides literacy and numeracy classes for adults and adolescents.
- The Girls’ Education Project (GEP), which promotes girls’ enrollment and retention in school through scholarships, mentoring, and awareness campaigns.
1. Niger
Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa, with a population of about 24.2 million people. Niger has the lowest literacy rate in the world, with only 19.1% of its population able to read and write. Niger faces many challenges that affect its education system, such as poverty, inequality, low enrollment and retention rates, high dropout rates, poor infrastructure and learning materials, and low teacher quality. According to UNESCO, only 54% of children complete primary school in Niger, and only 15% complete lower secondary school. The gender gap is also significant, with only 15% of women being literate compared to 23% of men.
Some of the initiatives that are being implemented to improve literacy in Niger include:
- The Education Sector Plan (2014-2024), which aims to ensure universal access to quality education for all children and youth.
- The Global Partnership for Education (GPE), which supports Niger with grants to improve access, quality, and governance of education.
- The Non-Formal Basic Education Program (NFBE), which provides literacy and numeracy classes for adults and adolescents.
- The Girls’ Education Project (GEP), which promotes girls’ enrollment and retention in school through scholarships, mentoring, and awareness campaigns.
Conclusion
Literacy is a fundamental human right and a key driver for social and economic development. However, millions of people around the world still lack basic literacy skills, especially in the least developed countries. Low literacy rates have negative impacts on individuals and societies, such as lower income, poorer health, higher vulnerability to violence and exploitation, lower civic participation, and lower human development.
Therefore, it is crucial to invest in education and literacy programs that can reach the most marginalized and disadvantaged groups, such as women, children, youth, rural dwellers, ethnic minorities, refugees, and people with disabilities. By improving literacy levels, we can empower people to improve their lives and contribute to their communities.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: What is the definition of literacy?
A: Literacy is the ability to read and write at a level that enables one to communicate effectively and participate in society.
Q: What are the benefits of literacy?
A: Literacy has many benefits for individuals and societies, such as:
- Improving income and employment opportunities
- Enhancing health and well-being
- Reducing poverty and inequality
- Promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment
- Fostering social cohesion and peace
- Supporting democracy and human rights
- Stimulating innovation and creativity
Q: What are the causes of low literacy?
A: Low literacy is caused by a combination of factors, such as:
- Lack of access to quality education, especially for girls and women, children and youth, rural dwellers, ethnic minorities, refugees, and people with disabilities
- Lack of adequate infrastructure, resources, and materials for teaching and learning
- Lack of qualified and motivated teachers and educators
- Lack of parental and community support and involvement in education
- Lack of political will and commitment to invest in education and literacy
- Conflict, insecurity, displacement, poverty, disease, and environmental challenges that disrupt education
Q: What are the consequences of low literacy?
A: Low literacy has negative consequences for individuals and societies, such as:
- Lower income and employment opportunities
- Poorer health and well-being
- Higher poverty and inequality
- Lower gender equality and women’s empowerment
- Higher vulnerability to violence and exploitation
- Lower civic participation and human development
- Lower innovation and creativity
Q: How is literacy measured?
A: Literacy is measured by various indicators, such as:
- The literacy rate, which is the percentage of people aged 15 or above who can read and write
- The youth literacy rate, which is the percentage of people aged 15 to 24 who can read and write
- The adult literacy rate, which is the percentage of people aged 15 or above who can read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life
- The functional literacy rate, which is the percentage of people aged 15 or above who can read and write at a level that enables them to cope with the demands of everyday life
- The digital literacy rate, which is the percentage of people aged 15 or above who can use digital devices and platforms to access, create, and communicate information
Q: How can literacy be improved?
A: Literacy can be improved by various strategies, such as:
- Expanding access to quality education for all children and youth, especially girls and women, rural dwellers, ethnic minorities, refugees, and people with disabilities
- Providing adequate infrastructure, resources, and materials for teaching and learning
- Recruiting, training, and motivating qualified and motivated teachers and educators
- Encouraging parental and community support and involvement in education
- Increasing political will and commitment to invest in education and literacy
- Addressing conflict, insecurity, displacement, poverty, disease, and environmental challenges that disrupt education
Q: What are some examples of successful literacy programs?
A: Some examples of successful literacy programs are:
- The Literacy Boost program by Save the Children, which improves children’s reading skills through teacher training, reading materials development, community reading activities, and assessment tools.
- The Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) program by UNESCO, which promotes the use of local languages as the medium of instruction in early grades to enhance learning outcomes.
- The Literacy for Life program by World Vision, which provides literacy classes for adults and adolescents in rural areas using a participatory approach that integrates life skills and livelihoods.
- The Mobile Literacy program by UNICEF, which uses mobile phones to deliver literacy lessons to out-of-school girls in remote areas.
- The Digital Literacy program by Microsoft, which offers online courses on basic computer skills for beginners.
Q: What are some challenges faced by literacy programs?
A: Some challenges faced by literacy programs are:
- Lack of funding and resources to sustain and scale up the programs
- Lack of coordination and collaboration among different stakeholders involved in the programs
- Lack of data and evidence on the impact and effectiveness of the programs
- Lack of awareness and recognition of the importance and value of the programs
- Lack of political support and commitment to prioritize the programs
Q: What are some opportunities for literacy programs?
A: Some opportunities for literacy programs are:
- Leveraging new technologies and innovations to enhance teaching and learning methods
- Engaging new partners and donors to support and fund the programs
- Advocating for policy changes and reforms to improve the enabling environment for the programs
- Sharing best practices and lessons learned from successful programs
- Celebrating achievements and successes of the programs
Q: How can I support literacy programs?
A: You can support literacy programs by:
- Donating money or resources to organizations that run or fund literacy programs
- Volunteering your time or skills to help with teaching or mentoring learners or educators
- Raising awareness about the importance and value of literacy among your family, friends, colleagues, or community
- Advocating for more investment and action on education and literacy among your leaders or representatives