Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 1.33 million number in 2018. ▬ Flat
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Sri Lanka, 1981–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
In 2018, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Sri Lanka stood at 1.33 million number.
That represents a change of up 3.1% on the previous year and down 4.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Sri Lanka peaked at 1.40 million number in 2008 and was at its lowest, 1.20 million number, in 2016.
Sri Lanka ranks 41st of 87 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1.30 million number | — |
| 2001 | 1.30 million number | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 1.34 million number | +3.3% |
| 2008 | 1.40 million number | +4.3% |
| 2010 | 1.33 million number | -5.1% |
| 2016 | 1.20 million number | -9.5% |
| 2017 | 1.29 million number | +7.4% |
| 2018 | 1.33 million number | +3.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.30 million number | 1.30 million number | 1.30 million number | 1 |
| 2000s | 1.35 million number | 1.30 million number | 1.40 million number | 3 |
| 2010s | 1.29 million number | 1.20 million number | 1.33 million number | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More education data for Sri Lanka
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 155,543 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 224,799 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 214,300 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.54 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.58 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -2.89 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0715 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Sri Lanka?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Sri Lanka was 1.33 million number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 1.40 million number in 2008.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.20 million number in 2016.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- Sri Lanka ranks 41st out of 87 countries with data for 2018.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 4.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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.