India vs WB: World: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes
India
190.71 million
in 2023
WB: World
739.14 million
in 2024
India rank
1st
WB: World rank
4th
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes over time
- India
- WB: World
How they compare
WB: World currently reports 739.14 million against 190.71 million in India, a difference of 548.43 million.
That makes WB: World's figure about 3.9 times India's.
Across all 5 years both countries report, WB: World has been ahead every year.
India ranks 1st and WB: World ranks 4th of 59 countries.
WB: World has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | India | WB: World | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 268.15 million | 814.22 million | 546.07 million | WB: World |
| 2010s | 258.22 million | 778.88 million | 520.66 million | WB: World |
| 2020s | 216.50 million | 741.27 million | 524.78 million | WB: 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 WB: World?
- WB: 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 WB: World?
- 548.43 million, with WB: World ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for India and WB: World?
- 5 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2023.
- How do India and WB: World rank globally for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- India ranks 1st and WB: World ranks 4th 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