Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malawi
Malawi: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 3.47 million number in 2015. ▲ Rising
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malawi, 1987–2015
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malawi is 3.47 million number, measured in 2015. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.
The figure is up 12.3% on the previous year and up 15.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malawi peaked at 3.47 million number in 2015 and was at its lowest, 2.04 million number, in 1998.
That places Malawi 28th out of 87 countries with data for 2015, putting it in the middle of the range.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malawi, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 2.24 million number | — |
| 1998 | 2.04 million number | -8.6% |
| 2010 | 3.02 million number | +47.5% |
| 2014 | 3.09 million number | +2.5% |
| 2015 | 3.47 million number | +12.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 2.24 million number | 2.24 million number | 2.24 million number | 1 |
| 1990s | 2.04 million number | 2.04 million number | 2.04 million number | 1 |
| 2010s | 3.19 million number | 3.02 million number | 3.47 million number | 3 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More education data for Malawi
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1.25 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.16 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.75 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.7 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0004 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2193 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 4.75 million (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 2.7 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malawi?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malawi was 3.47 million number in 2015, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 3.47 million number in 2015.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.04 million number in 1998.
- How does Malawi rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- Malawi ranks 28th out of 87 countries with data for 2015.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Malawi 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.