Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malaysia
Malaysia: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 1.11 million in 2022. ▼ Falling
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malaysia, 1991–2022
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
Malaysia recorded 1.11 million for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in 2022. That is the lowest value across all 8 years on record.
The figure is down 10.9% on the previous year and down 19.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malaysia peaked at 1.94 million in 1991 and was at its lowest, 1.11 million, in 2022.
Malaysia ranks 30th of 59 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 1.94 million | — |
| 2000 | 1.68 million | -13.4% |
| 2010 | 1.39 million | -17.2% |
| 2016 | 1.19 million | -14.1% |
| 2017 | 1.17 million | -1.7% |
| 2018 | 1.25 million | +6.7% |
| 2019 | 1.25 million | -0.2% |
| 2022 | 1.11 million | -10.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.94 million | 1.94 million | 1.94 million | 1 |
| 2000s | 1.68 million | 1.68 million | 1.68 million | 1 |
| 2010s | 1.25 million | 1.17 million | 1.39 million | 5 |
| 2020s | 1.11 million | 1.11 million | 1.11 million | 1 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
- 27 Peru 1.34 million compare
- 28 Sri Lanka 1.30 million compare
- 29 Philippines 1.17 million compare
- 31 Honduras 761,211 compare
- 32 Lao People's Democratic Republic 688,200 compare
- 33 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 635,106 compare
More education data for Malaysia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 217,105 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 475,967 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 460,041 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.64 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.06 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.2 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0859 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malaysia?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malaysia was 1.11 million in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 1.94 million in 1991.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.11 million in 2022.
- How does Malaysia rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- Malaysia ranks 30th out of 59 countries with data for 2022.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malaysia 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