Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes (number) (Adult) in Rwanda
Rwanda: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes (number) (Adult) was 1.97 million number in 2018. ▲ Rising
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Rwanda, 1978–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
In 2018, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Rwanda stood at 1.97 million number.
That represents a change of down 0.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Rwanda peaked at 1.98 million number in 2010 and was at its lowest, 1.53 million number, in 2000.
Rwanda ranks 33rd of 87 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes (number) (Adult) in Rwanda, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 1.55 million number | — |
| 2000 | 1.53 million number | -1.6% |
| 2010 | 1.98 million number | +29.9% |
| 2012 | 1.96 million number | -1.4% |
| 2014 | 1.90 million number | -2.7% |
| 2018 | 1.97 million number | +3.3% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 1.97 million number is below the median for low income countries, which is 5.32 million number, 37% of the median. (11 countries reporting)
- Rwanda's 1.97 million number is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 3.81 million number, 52% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.55 million number | 1.55 million number | 1.55 million number | 1 |
| 2000s | 1.53 million number | 1.53 million number | 1.53 million number | 1 |
| 2010s | 1.95 million number | 1.90 million number | 1.98 million number | 4 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
More education data for Rwanda
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 98.15 (2019)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 99.03 (2024)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 34,324 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 795,920 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 305,636 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 299,593 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 901,617 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.01 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 5.93 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Rwanda?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Rwanda was 1.97 million number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 1.98 million number in 2010.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.53 million number in 2000.
- How does Rwanda rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- Rwanda ranks 33rd out of 87 countries with data for 2018.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Rwanda 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.