Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in India
India: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 190.71 million in 2023. ▼ Falling
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in India, 2001–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2023, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in India stood at 190.71 million. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
The figure is down 21.3% on the previous year and down 26.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in India peaked at 274.28 million in 2006 and was at its lowest, 190.71 million, in 2023.
India ranks 1st of 59 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 262.02 million | — |
| 2006 | 274.28 million | +4.7% |
| 2011 | 258.22 million | -5.9% |
| 2022 | 242.28 million | -6.2% |
| 2023 | 190.71 million | -21.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 268.15 million | 262.02 million | 274.28 million | 2 |
| 2010s | 258.22 million | 258.22 million | 258.22 million | 1 |
| 2020s | 216.50 million | 190.71 million | 242.28 million | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
More education data for India
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.31 million (2025)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 3.10 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 19.37 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 18.52 million (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 133.16 million (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 126.12 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -8.85 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0862 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in India?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in India was 190.71 million in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 274.28 million in 2006.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 190.71 million in 2023.
- How does India rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- India ranks 1st out of 59 countries with data for 2023.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 26.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this India 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.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release