Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in India
India: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 252.86 million number in 2018. ▬ Flat
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in India, 1981–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
India recorded 252.86 million number for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in 2018. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of down 12.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in India peaked at 288.40 million number in 2006 and was at its lowest, 252.86 million number, in 2018.
India ranks 1st of 87 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in India, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 257.60 million number | — |
| 1991 | 287.52 million number | +11.6% |
| 2001 | 274.88 million number | -4.4% |
| 2006 | 288.40 million number | +4.9% |
| 2011 | 266.18 million number | -7.7% |
| 2018 | 252.86 million number | -5.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 257.60 million number | 257.60 million number | 257.60 million number | 1 |
| 1990s | 287.52 million number | 287.52 million number | 287.52 million number | 1 |
| 2000s | 281.64 million number | 274.88 million number | 288.40 million number | 2 |
| 2010s | 259.52 million number | 252.86 million number | 266.18 million number | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
More education data for India
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 3.10 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 19.37 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 18.52 million (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 133.16 million (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 126.12 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -8.85 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0862 units per person (2025)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in India?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in India was 252.86 million number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 288.40 million number in 2006.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 252.86 million number in 2018.
- How does India rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- India ranks 1st out of 87 countries with data for 2018.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this India 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.