Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Uganda

Uganda: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 5.79 million in 2014. ▲ Rising

Latest (2014)
5.79 million
Change on year
up 13.5%
World rank
12th
of 59 countries
All-time high
5.79 million
in 2014
All-time low
3.97 million
in 2002
Years of data
6
1991–2014

Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Uganda, 1991–2014

02.0M4.0M6.0M1991200220141991: 4.1M2002: 4.0M2006: 4.0M2010: 4.3M2012: 5.1M2014: 5.8M

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

The most recent figure for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Uganda is 5.79 million, measured in 2014. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 13.5% on the previous year and up 45.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Uganda peaked at 5.79 million in 2014 and was at its lowest, 3.97 million, in 2002.

Uganda ranks 12th of 59 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Uganda, year by year

Annual values for Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes (number) in Uganda, 1991 to 2014.
Year Value Change
1991 4.05 million
2002 3.97 million -2.1%
2006 4.04 million +2.0%
2010 4.28 million +5.9%
2012 5.10 million +19.1%
2014 5.79 million +13.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 4.05 million 4.05 million 4.05 million 1
2000s 4.01 million 3.97 million 4.04 million 2
2010s 5.06 million 4.28 million 5.79 million 3

Countries ranked near Uganda

  1. 9 Burkina Faso 8.02 million compare
  2. 10 Mali 6.71 million compare
  3. 11 Mozambique 6.68 million compare
  4. 13 Mexico 4.44 million compare
  5. 14 Guinea 4.27 million compare
  6. 15 Senegal 4.24 million compare

See the full ranking of 262 places →

More education data for Uganda

All data for Uganda →

Frequently asked questions

What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Uganda?
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Uganda was 5.79 million in 2014, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Uganda?
The highest recorded value was 5.79 million in 2014.
What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Uganda?
The lowest recorded value was 3.97 million in 2002.
How does Uganda rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
Uganda ranks 12th out of 59 countries with data for 2014.
Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Uganda?
Over the last ten years it is up 45.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Uganda 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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Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Uganda. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/adult-illiterate-population-15-years-both-sexes-number-2/uganda/

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About this data

Indicator
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes (number)
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
262 places, 6,930 data points, 1989–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release