Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 102,819 in 2024. ▼ Falling
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in United Arab Emirates, 2005–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2024, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in United Arab Emirates stood at 102,819. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.
The figure is down 33.4% on the previous year and down 37.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in United Arab Emirates peaked at 354,126 in 2005 and was at its lowest, 102,819, in 2024.
United Arab Emirates ranks 46th of 59 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 354,126 | — |
| 2019 | 163,410 | -53.9% |
| 2021 | 130,669 | -20.0% |
| 2022 | 128,799 | -1.4% |
| 2023 | 154,304 | +19.8% |
| 2024 | 102,819 | -33.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 354,126 | 354,126 | 354,126 | 1 |
| 2010s | 163,410 | 163,410 | 163,410 | 1 |
| 2020s | 129,148 | 102,819 | 154,304 | 4 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
More education data for United Arab Emirates
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 106,178 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 305 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 119,159 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 125,307 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 894,302 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 586,477 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 5.74 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0534 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in United Arab Emirates?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in United Arab Emirates was 102,819 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 354,126 in 2005.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 102,819 in 2024.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 46th out of 59 countries with data for 2024.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is down 37.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates 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 — 6 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release