India vs SDG: World: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes
India
190.71 million
in 2023
SDG: World
739.14 million
in 2024
India rank
1st
SDG: World rank
1st
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes over time
- India
- SDG: World
How they compare
SDG: World currently reports 739.14 million against 190.71 million in India, a difference of 548.43 million.
That makes SDG: World's figure about 3.9 times India's.
Across all 5 years both countries report, SDG: World has been ahead every year.
India ranks 1st and SDG: World ranks 1st of 59 countries.
SDG: World has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | India | SDG: World | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 268.15 million | 814.22 million | 546.07 million | SDG: World |
| 2010s | 258.22 million | 778.88 million | 520.67 million | SDG: World |
| 2020s | 216.50 million | 741.28 million | 524.78 million | SDG: World |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes, India or SDG: World?
- SDG: World, at 739.14 million against 190.71 million in India as of 2024.
- What is the difference in adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes between India and SDG: World?
- 548.43 million, with SDG: World ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for India and SDG: World?
- 5 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2023.
- How do India and SDG: World rank globally for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- India ranks 1st and SDG: World ranks 1st of 59 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes (number). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
February 2026 Data Release