Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in MDG: Eastern Asia
MDG: Eastern Asia: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 31.70 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in MDG: Eastern Asia, 1989–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in MDG: Eastern Asia is 31.70 million, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 36 years on record.
The figure is down 4.1% on the previous year and down 32.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in MDG: Eastern Asia peaked at 179.61 million in 1989 and was at its lowest, 31.70 million, in 2024.
That places MDG: Eastern Asia 121st out of 203 groups with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in MDG: Eastern Asia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 179.61 million | — |
| 1990 | 173.97 million | -3.1% |
| 1991 | 171.79 million | -1.3% |
| 1992 | 169.50 million | -1.3% |
| 1993 | 167.18 million | -1.4% |
| 1994 | 164.80 million | -1.4% |
| 1995 | 162.38 million | -1.5% |
| 1996 | 160.04 million | -1.4% |
| 1997 | 93.74 million | -41.4% |
| 1998 | 91.85 million | -2.0% |
| 1999 | 89.89 million | -2.1% |
| 2000 | 87.90 million | -2.2% |
| 2001 | 85.92 million | -2.3% |
| 2002 | 83.90 million | -2.4% |
| 2003 | 81.82 million | -2.5% |
| 2004 | 79.69 million | -2.6% |
| 2005 | 77.54 million | -2.7% |
| 2006 | 75.40 million | -2.7% |
| 2007 | 61.28 million | -18.7% |
| 2008 | 59.21 million | -3.4% |
| 2009 | 57.15 million | -3.5% |
| 2010 | 55.19 million | -3.4% |
| 2011 | 53.19 million | -3.6% |
| 2012 | 51.18 million | -3.8% |
| 2013 | 49.24 million | -3.8% |
| 2014 | 47.22 million | -4.1% |
| 2015 | 45.32 million | -4.0% |
| 2016 | 43.46 million | -4.1% |
| 2017 | 41.39 million | -4.8% |
| 2018 | 39.93 million | -3.5% |
| 2019 | 38.54 million | -3.5% |
| 2020 | 37.16 million | -3.6% |
| 2021 | 35.80 million | -3.7% |
| 2022 | 34.40 million | -3.9% |
| 2023 | 33.05 million | -3.9% |
| 2024 | 31.70 million | -4.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 179.61 million | 179.61 million | 179.61 million | 1 |
| 1990s | 144.52 million | 89.89 million | 173.97 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 74.98 million | 57.15 million | 87.90 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 46.47 million | 38.54 million | 55.19 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 34.42 million | 31.70 million | 37.16 million | 5 |
More education data for MDG: Eastern Asia
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 53.41 million (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth rate 0.2925 % change on previous year (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.03 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 1.67 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 103.27 million (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), annual growth rate 0.6211 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), gaps filled 60.05 million (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), annual growth rate 1.25 % change on previous year (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 9,711 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 22.52 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in MDG: Eastern Asia?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in MDG: Eastern Asia was 31.70 million in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in MDG: Eastern Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 179.61 million in 1989.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in MDG: Eastern Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.70 million in 2024.
- How does MDG: Eastern Asia rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- MDG: Eastern Asia ranks 121st out of 203 groups with data for 2024.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in MDG: Eastern Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 32.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this MDG: Eastern Asia 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 — 36 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release