Mexico vs South Africa: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes
Mexico
2.28 million
in 2020
South Africa
1.84 million
in 2024
Mexico rank
7th
South Africa rank
9th
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes over time
- Mexico
- South Africa
How they compare
Mexico currently reports 2.28 million against 1.84 million in South Africa, a difference of 440,000.
That makes Mexico's figure about 1.2 times South Africa's.
Across all 6 years both countries report, Mexico has been ahead every year.
Mexico ranks 7th and South Africa ranks 9th of 40 countries.
Mexico has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Mexico | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2.65 million | 857,779 | 1.79 million | Mexico |
| 2010s | 2.47 million | 806,425 | 1.66 million | Mexico |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes, Mexico or South Africa?
- Mexico, at 2.28 million against 1.84 million in South Africa as of 2020.
- What is the difference in adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes between Mexico and South Africa?
- 440,000, with Mexico ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Mexico and South Africa?
- 6 years are reported by both, from 2009 to 2015.
- How do Mexico and South Africa rank globally for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes?
- Mexico ranks 7th and South Africa ranks 9th of 40 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, 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