Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Burundi
Burundi: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 1.85 million number in 2017. ▲ Rising
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Burundi, 1979–2017
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
Burundi recorded 1.85 million number for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in 2017.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.4% on the previous year and down 19.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Burundi peaked at 2.29 million number in 2008 and was at its lowest, 1.29 million number, in 2000.
That places Burundi 36th out of 87 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the middle of the range.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Burundi, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 1.73 million number | — |
| 1990 | 1.77 million number | +2.3% |
| 2000 | 1.29 million number | -27.2% |
| 2008 | 2.29 million number | +77.9% |
| 2014 | 2.04 million number | -10.9% |
| 2017 | 1.85 million number | -9.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.73 million number | 1.73 million number | 1.73 million number | 1 |
| 1990s | 1.77 million number | 1.77 million number | 1.77 million number | 1 |
| 2000s | 1.79 million number | 1.29 million number | 2.29 million number | 2 |
| 2010s | 1.95 million number | 1.85 million number | 2.04 million number | 2 |
Countries ranked near Burundi
More education data for Burundi
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 27,748 (2025)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 646,726 (2020)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 115,798 (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 117,464 (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 590,027 (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.52 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 4.06 % change on previous year (2020)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0007 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1748 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Burundi?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Burundi was 1.85 million number in 2017, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Burundi?
- The highest recorded value was 2.29 million number in 2008.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Burundi?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.29 million number in 2000.
- How does Burundi rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- Burundi ranks 36th out of 87 countries with data for 2017.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Burundi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Burundi 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
Total number of adults over age 15 who cannot both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life.