Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Burundi
Burundi: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 1.86 million in 2017. ▲ Rising
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Burundi, 1990–2017
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Burundi is 1.86 million, measured in 2017.
That represents a change of down 14.9% on the previous year and down 21.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Burundi peaked at 2.36 million in 2008 and was at its lowest, 1.33 million, in 2000.
Burundi ranks 21st of 59 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Burundi, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1.78 million | — |
| 2000 | 1.33 million | -24.8% |
| 2008 | 2.36 million | +76.8% |
| 2014 | 2.18 million | -7.5% |
| 2017 | 1.86 million | -14.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.78 million | 1.78 million | 1.78 million | 1 |
| 2000s | 1.85 million | 1.33 million | 2.36 million | 2 |
| 2010s | 2.02 million | 1.86 million | 2.18 million | 2 |
Countries ranked near Burundi
More education data for Burundi
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 27,748 (2025)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 646,726 (2020)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 115,798 (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 117,464 (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 590,027 (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.52 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 4.06 % change on previous year (2020)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0007 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1748 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Burundi?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Burundi was 1.86 million in 2017, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Burundi?
- The highest recorded value was 2.36 million in 2008.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Burundi?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.33 million in 2000.
- How does Burundi rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- Burundi ranks 21st out of 59 countries with data for 2017.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Burundi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 21.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Burundi data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 5 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release