Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in India
India: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female was 162.78 million number in 2018. ▬ Flat
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in India, 1981–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
In 2018, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in India stood at 162.78 million number.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 13.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in India peaked at 187.42 million number in 2006 and was at its lowest, 155.70 million number, in 1981.
India ranks 1st of 87 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in India, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 155.70 million number | — |
| 1991 | 177.49 million number | +14.0% |
| 2001 | 178.02 million number | +0.3% |
| 2006 | 187.42 million number | +5.3% |
| 2011 | 171.12 million number | -8.7% |
| 2018 | 162.78 million number | -4.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 155.70 million number | 155.70 million number | 155.70 million number | 1 |
| 1990s | 177.49 million number | 177.49 million number | 177.49 million number | 1 |
| 2000s | 182.72 million number | 178.02 million number | 187.42 million number | 2 |
| 2010s | 166.95 million number | 162.78 million number | 171.12 million number | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
More education data for India
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 133.16 million (2025)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 1.25 % change on previous year (2025)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 5.19 million (2025)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth rate 3.38 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), gaps filled 64.76 million (2025)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), annual growth rate 2.25 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), gaps filled 68.40 million (2025)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), annual growth rate 0.3178 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 37.89 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), annual 0.2585 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in India?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in India was 162.78 million number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 187.42 million number in 2006.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 155.70 million number in 1981.
- How does India rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female?
- India ranks 1st out of 87 countries with data for 2018.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total number of females over age 15 who cannot both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life.