Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Small states
Small states: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 3.83 million number in 2019. ▲ Rising
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Small states, 1986–2019
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Small states is 3.83 million number, measured in 2019.
The figure is up 0.2% on the previous year and down 1.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Small states peaked at 3.92 million number in 2010 and was at its lowest, 3.31 million number, in 1986.
Small states ranks 33rd of 39 groups on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 34 years of available data.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Small states, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 3.31 million number | — |
| 1987 | 3.36 million number | +1.3% |
| 1988 | 3.39 million number | +1.0% |
| 1989 | 3.42 million number | +0.9% |
| 1990 | 3.46 million number | +1.2% |
| 1991 | 3.48 million number | +0.7% |
| 1992 | 3.49 million number | +0.4% |
| 1993 | 3.49 million number | -0.1% |
| 1994 | 3.53 million number | +1.1% |
| 1995 | 3.54 million number | +0.3% |
| 1996 | 3.52 million number | -0.5% |
| 1997 | 3.51 million number | -0.3% |
| 1998 | 3.47 million number | -1.3% |
| 1999 | 3.48 million number | +0.4% |
| 2000 | 3.50 million number | +0.6% |
| 2001 | 3.47 million number | -0.8% |
| 2002 | 3.42 million number | -1.6% |
| 2003 | 3.38 million number | -1.2% |
| 2004 | 3.39 million number | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 3.37 million number | -0.7% |
| 2006 | 3.53 million number | +4.6% |
| 2007 | 3.77 million number | +6.8% |
| 2008 | 3.68 million number | -2.4% |
| 2009 | 3.89 million number | +5.8% |
| 2010 | 3.92 million number | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 3.87 million number | -1.1% |
| 2012 | 3.90 million number | +0.8% |
| 2013 | 3.90 million number | -0.0% |
| 2014 | 3.89 million number | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 3.68 million number | -5.5% |
| 2016 | 3.77 million number | +2.6% |
| 2017 | 3.80 million number | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 3.82 million number | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 3.83 million number | +0.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.37 million number | 3.31 million number | 3.42 million number | 4 |
| 1990s | 3.50 million number | 3.46 million number | 3.54 million number | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.54 million number | 3.37 million number | 3.89 million number | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.84 million number | 3.68 million number | 3.92 million number | 10 |
Countries ranked near Small states
More education data for Small states
- Population ages 15-64 66.0% (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.09 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2538 units per person (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 5.13 million (2024)
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 243,069 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 24.2% (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.48 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Small states?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Small states was 3.83 million number in 2019, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Small states?
- The highest recorded value was 3.92 million number in 2010.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Small states?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.31 million number in 1986.
- How does Small states rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- Small states ranks 33rd out of 39 groups with data for 2019.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Small states?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Small states 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.