Adult Literacy by Country — Every Decade Since 1800
Updated July 2026 · ⬇ download this dataset (CSV) · methodology
As of the 2020s, adult literacy ranges from 100 % in Uzbekistan to 35.61 % in Niger across 81 countries. (Source: World Bank)
Adult literacy measures the percentage of adults who can read and write, representing a fundamental gateway to personal empowerment, economic opportunity, and lifelong autonomy in a complex world. As of the 2020s, adult literacy ranges from 100 % in Uzbekistan to 35.61 % in Niger across 81 countries.
The table and chart below track every country MYRIAD covers, decade by decade — and every row links to what that number meant for a real life born there. Across the rankings, countries like Uzbekistan reach 100, Russia sits at 99.93, Turkmenistan at 99.9, Armenia at 99.82, Azerbaijan at 99.78, Georgia at 99.72, Serbia at 99.34, Romania at 99.16, Spain at 99.15, and Argentina at 99.14, while Lesotho represents the median at 90.45. Toward the bottom of the ranking, figures drop through Ethiopia at 57.67, Somalia at 54.12, Gambia at 51.64, Senegal at 50.36, Ivory Coast at 50, Benin at 47.61, Burkina Faso at 39.82, Afghanistan at 36.64, Mali at 35.63, and Niger at 35.61.
Keep exploring Adult Literacy in Brazil, Adult Literacy in China, Adult Literacy in Germany, Adult Literacy in India, Adult Literacy in Japan, Adult Literacy in Nigeria, Adult Literacy in United Kingdom, and Adult Literacy in United States. Where do YOU rank among everyone ever born? →
This measures the percentage of adults who can read and write, representing a fundamental gateway to personal empowerment, economic opportunity, and lifelong autonomy in a complex world. The table and chart below track every country MYRIAD covers, decade by decade — and every row links to what that number meant for a real life born there.
Ranking — the 2020s
| # | Country | % (2020s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | 100 |
| 2 | 🇷🇺 Russia | 99.93 |
| 3 | 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan | 99.9 |
| 4 | 🇦🇲 Armenia | 99.82 |
| 5 | 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | 99.78 |
| 6 | 🇬🇪 Georgia | 99.72 |
| 7 | 🇷🇸 Serbia | 99.34 |
| 8 | 🇷🇴 Romania | 99.16 |
| 9 | 🇪🇸 Spain | 99.15 |
| 10 | 🇦🇷 Argentina | 99.14 |
| … | 🇱🇸 Lesotho (median) | 90.45 |
| bottom of the ranking | ||
| · | 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | 57.67 |
| · | 🇸🇴 Somalia | 54.12 |
| · | 🇬🇲 Gambia | 51.64 |
| · | 🇸🇳 Senegal | 50.36 |
| · | 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast | 50 |
| · | 🇧🇯 Benin | 47.61 |
| · | 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | 39.82 |
| · | 🇦🇫 Afghanistan | 36.64 |
| · | 🇲🇱 Mali | 35.63 |
| · | 🇳🇪 Niger | 35.61 |
Keep exploring
- Adult Literacy in Brazil
- Adult Literacy in China
- Adult Literacy in Germany
- Adult Literacy in India
- Adult Literacy in Japan
- Adult Literacy in Nigeria
- Adult Literacy in United Kingdom
- Adult Literacy in United States
- Where do YOU rank among everyone ever born? →
Questions people ask
Which country has the best Adult Literacy today?
Uzbekistan leads with 100 % in the 2020s, according to World Bank data compiled by MYRIAD.
How has Adult Literacy changed since 1800?
The interactive chart on this page tracks the full 1800–2020 trajectory for every country, based on historical estimates and modern observations described in our methodology.
Where does this data come from?
Primary source: World Bank. Historical estimates and confidence levels are documented on the MYRIAD methodology page.