Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Zambia
Zambia: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 1.27 million number in 2018. ▼ Falling
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Zambia, 1990–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 1.27 million number for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in 2018.
That represents a change of down 50.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Zambia peaked at 2.55 million number in 2007 and was at its lowest, 1.21 million number, in 2010.
That places Zambia 42nd out of 87 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Zambia, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1.48 million number | — |
| 1999 | 1.74 million number | +17.7% |
| 2002 | 1.68 million number | -3.3% |
| 2007 | 2.55 million number | +51.5% |
| 2010 | 1.21 million number | -52.4% |
| 2018 | 1.27 million number | +4.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.61 million number | 1.48 million number | 1.74 million number | 2 |
| 2000s | 2.12 million number | 1.68 million number | 2.55 million number | 2 |
| 2010s | 1.24 million number | 1.21 million number | 1.27 million number | 2 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More education data for Zambia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 42,585 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 169,961 (2013)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.39 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.49 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.55 % change on previous year (2017)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2106 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 4.49 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Zambia?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in Zambia was 1.27 million number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 2.55 million number in 2007.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.21 million number in 2010.
- How does Zambia rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- Zambia ranks 42nd out of 87 countries with data for 2018.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 50.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zambia 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.