The lowest literacy rate is an important indicator that directly affects a country’s level of education and social development. The literacy rate refers to the percentage of individuals within a specific age group who possess reading and writing skills. Literacy rates vary greatly from country to country around the world; especially in developing countries, these rates remain at very low levels. Insufficient educational infrastructure, economic difficulties, and cultural and social barriers are among the main factors that hinder the spread of literacy, particularly in rural areas.
Countries with the lowest literacy rates are generally concentrated in the African continent. The reasons for low literacy rates in these countries include poverty, child labor, limited educational resources, and gender inequality. The restricted access of women to educational opportunities negatively affects the overall level of literacy. For this reason, international organizations and local governments organize various educational programs and campaigns and make infrastructure investments to increase literacy. The development of literacy is seen as a fundamental step for economic growth and social progress.
Which country has the lowest literacy rate?
The country with the lowest literacy rate in the world is Niger, with a rate of 19.1%. This figure indicates the inadequacy of the country’s educational infrastructure and the serious challenges related to literacy. Niger is followed by Mali with 30.5% and South Sudan with 34.5%. In these countries, literacy rates remain low due to shortcomings in the education system, economic difficulties, and social barriers.
These low literacy rates are generally concentrated in the Sub-Saharan region of the African continent. In these areas, where educational opportunities are limited, factors such as child labor, early marriage, and gender inequality hinder the increase of literacy. In particular, women’s access to education is restricted, which leads to significantly lower literacy rates among women compared to men.
Which countries have the lowest literacy rates in the world?
Countries with the lowest literacy rates in the world are generally concentrated in the Sub-Saharan region of the African continent. In these countries, literacy rates are very low due to factors such as inadequate educational infrastructure, economic difficulties, and social barriers. In particular, the limited access of women to educational opportunities negatively affects the overall level of literacy.
Among the countries with the lowest literacy rates worldwide are Niger (19.1%), Guinea (30.47%), South Sudan (31.98%), Mali (33.07%), Central African Republic (36.75%), Burkina Faso (37.75%), Somalia (37.80%), Afghanistan (38.17%), Benin (38.45%), and Chad (40.02%). The reasons for low literacy rates in these countries include poverty, child labor, limited educational resources, and gender inequality. The restricted access of women to education negatively affects the general literacy level. For this reason, international organizations and local governments organize various educational programs and campaigns and invest in infrastructure to increase literacy. The development of literacy is seen as a fundamental step for economic development and social progress.
List of countries with low literacy rates
The list of countries with low literacy rates in the world is as follows:
- Niger – 19.1%
- Guinea – 30.47%
- South Sudan – 31.98%
- Mali – 33.07%
- Central African Republic – 36.75%
- Burkina Faso – 37.75%
- Somalia – 37.80%
- Afghanistan – 38.17%
- Benin – 38.45%
- Chad – 40.02%
The main reasons for low literacy rates in these countries include weak educational infrastructure, economic problems, social and cultural barriers, child labor, and especially limited access to education for women. Therefore, various international programs and projects are being implemented in these regions to increase education and literacy rates.
What are the factors that affect the literacy rate?
The main factors affecting the literacy rate are as follows:
- Educational Infrastructure and Quality: The number of schools, their equipment, the quality of teachers, and the accessibility of educational materials directly affect literacy levels. Inadequate infrastructure and low-quality education hinder the development of literacy.
- Economic Situation: Poverty may lead families to prefer sending their children to work instead of school. Additionally, financial difficulties make it hard to cover educational expenses.
- Social and Cultural Factors: In some societies, especially the education of girls may not be prioritized. Gender inequality, early marriages, and traditional roles limit access to education.
- Geographical Barriers: In rural and hard-to-reach areas, access to schools and educational opportunities may be limited.
- Political and Legal Factors: Inadequate education policies, lack of compulsory schooling, or poor implementation affect literacy rates.
- Health and Nutrition: Malnutrition and health problems can reduce children’s school attendance and learning capacity.
The simultaneous presence of these factors causes literacy rates to remain low, while overcoming these barriers can lead to progress in education.
World Literacy Statistics 2025
As of 2025, the global literacy rate is 86.3%. This rate is recorded at 90% for men and 82.7% for women. However, it is observed that this average value shows significant differences between countries. While literacy rates in developed countries are generally above 96%, in the least developed countries this rate is around 65% on average.
Among the countries with the highest literacy rates in the world are Finland, Norway, Luxembourg, Andorra, North Korea, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Liechtenstein. In these countries, the literacy rate is reported to be 100%.
On the other hand, countries with the lowest literacy rates are generally concentrated in the African continent and some Asian countries. Especially in countries such as Niger (19.1%), Guinea (30.47%), South Sudan (31.98%), Mali (33.07%), Central African Republic (36.75%), Burkina Faso (37.75%), Somalia (37.80%), Afghanistan (38.17%), Benin (38.45%), and Chad (40.02%), literacy rates are well below the global average.
The main reasons for these low literacy rates include poverty, inadequate educational infrastructure, gender inequality, and adverse conditions such as war. In particular, the limited access of women to educational opportunities is a significant reason for the low literacy rates.
What is the state of education in countries with low literacy rates?
The state of education in countries with low literacy rates is generally full of challenges and has the following main characteristics:
- Inadequate Educational Infrastructure: The number of schools is low, and existing educational institutions are often physically inadequate and poorly equipped. Classrooms are overcrowded, and the number and quality of teachers are limited.
- Access Issues: Children living in rural and remote areas face difficulties in reaching schools. Due to long distances and poor road conditions, school attendance rates are low.
- Economic Difficulties: Families, due to economic reasons, prefer to make their children work instead of sending them to school. Educational expenses (books, clothing, transportation) pose a heavy burden for many families.
- Social and Cultural Barriers: Especially the education of girls is not sufficiently supported. Early marriage, gender discrimination, and traditional roles prevent girls from continuing school.
- Short Duration of Education: Enrollment rates are low, and the duration of schooling is short. Students may have to drop out of school at an early age.
- Quality of Teachers and Curriculum: The lack of qualified teachers and the inadequacy of curricula in meeting contemporary needs reduce the quality of education.
- War and Political Instability: Ongoing conflicts and political instability in some countries with low literacy rates negatively affect the continuity of education.
These problems lead to persistently low literacy rates and slow the socio-economic development of societies. International organizations and local governments are implementing various programs and investments to overcome these barriers.
Gender disparity in countries with low literacy rates
In countries with low literacy rates, the gap between men and women is generally quite significant, and the situation is unfavorable for women. The main reasons and effects of this gap are as follows:
- Gender Inequality in Access to Education: In many countries with low literacy rates, especially in rural and traditional areas, the school attendance rate of girls is much lower than that of boys. Social norms, early marriage, and the burden of household chores prevent girls from receiving education.
- Difference in Literacy Rates: Globally, the literacy rate of women is on average 7–10% lower than that of men. In low-income and developing countries, this gap widens even further; for example, in some Sub-Saharan African countries, women’s literacy rates can be 20–30% lower than men’s.
- Economic and Social Impacts: Low literacy rates among women limit their participation in the workforce, access to health information, and influence in areas such as child education. This negatively affects social development and economic growth.
- International Efforts: Many international organizations carry out programs to increase women’s access to education and reduce the literacy gap between genders. Ensuring equal opportunities in education is critically important for gender equality and sustainable development goals.
In summary, in countries with low literacy rates, women’s access to educational opportunities is significantly more limited than men’s, and this negatively impacts the social and economic development of these countries.
Projects and programs to increase literacy rates
Many projects and programs are being implemented worldwide to increase literacy rates. These initiatives aim to both improve access to basic education and enhance the literacy skills of adults. The main efforts include:
- Basic Education Programs: Governments and international organizations work to expand access to compulsory basic education by increasing the number of schools, providing teacher training, and supplying educational materials. Improving school infrastructure, especially in rural and poor areas, is a priority.
- Adult Literacy Courses: Courses and educational programs are organized for adults who are illiterate. These courses focus on teaching literacy skills needed in daily life.
- Projects Supporting Women’s Access to Education: Scholarships, awareness campaigns, and efforts promoting gender equality are carried out to ensure women can access educational opportunities.
- Mobile and Digital Educational Tools: Through the use of technology, distance learning and digital literacy programs are developed, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Access to education is increased through mobile applications and radio-television programs.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Various campaigns are conducted to inform the public about the importance of literacy and to promote a culture of education.
- International Cooperation and Funding: International organizations such as UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank provide financial and technical support for educational projects through cooperation with member countries.
These programs are critically important for national development, improving individuals’ quality of life, and ensuring social equality. Increasing literacy rates is one of the fundamental pillars of sustainable development.