Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malaysia
Malaysia: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 1.23 million number in 2018. ▼ Falling
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malaysia, 1980–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
In 2018, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malaysia stood at 1.23 million number.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.3% on the previous year and down 11.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malaysia peaked at 2.53 million number in 1980 and was at its lowest, 1.16 million number, in 2017.
Malaysia ranks 44th of 87 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 2.53 million number | — |
| 1991 | 1.99 million number | -21.3% |
| 2000 | 1.74 million number | -12.4% |
| 2010 | 1.39 million number | -20.4% |
| 2016 | 1.18 million number | -14.7% |
| 2017 | 1.16 million number | -2.0% |
| 2018 | 1.23 million number | +6.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 2.53 million number | 2.53 million number | 2.53 million number | 1 |
| 1990s | 1.99 million number | 1.99 million number | 1.99 million number | 1 |
| 2000s | 1.74 million number | 1.74 million number | 1.74 million number | 1 |
| 2010s | 1.24 million number | 1.16 million number | 1.39 million number | 4 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More education data for Malaysia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 217,105 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 475,967 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 460,041 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.64 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.06 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.2 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0859 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malaysia?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Malaysia was 1.23 million number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 2.53 million number in 1980.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.16 million number in 2017.
- How does Malaysia rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- Malaysia ranks 44th out of 87 countries with data for 2018.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malaysia 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.