Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Nepal
Nepal: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 6.28 million number in 2018. ▼ Falling
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Nepal, 1981–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Nepal is 6.28 million number, measured in 2018. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
The figure is down 10.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Nepal peaked at 7.50 million number in 1991 and was at its lowest, 6.28 million number, in 2018.
Nepal ranks 15th of 87 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Nepal, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 7.15 million number | — |
| 1991 | 7.50 million number | +4.8% |
| 2001 | 7.44 million number | -0.8% |
| 2011 | 7.00 million number | -5.9% |
| 2018 | 6.28 million number | -10.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 7.15 million number | 7.15 million number | 7.15 million number | 1 |
| 1990s | 7.50 million number | 7.50 million number | 7.50 million number | 1 |
| 2000s | 7.44 million number | 7.44 million number | 7.44 million number | 1 |
| 2010s | 6.64 million number | 6.28 million number | 7.00 million number | 2 |
Countries ranked near Nepal
- 12 Morocco 6.88 million number compare
- 13 Mali 6.42 million number compare
- 14 Burkina Faso 6.39 million number compare
- 16 Tanzania, United Republic of 6.24 million number compare
- 17 Mozambique 6.18 million number compare
- 18 Chad 5.90 million number compare
More education data for Nepal
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 263,796 (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 752,326 (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 609,324 (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.67 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.57 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.31 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1204 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 Nepal?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Nepal was 6.28 million number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Nepal?
- The highest recorded value was 7.50 million number in 1991.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Nepal?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.28 million number in 2018.
- How does Nepal rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- Nepal ranks 15th out of 87 countries with data for 2018.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Nepal?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Nepal 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.