Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female was 781,235 number in 2018. ▼ Falling
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in Sri Lanka, 1981–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in Sri Lanka is 781,235 number, measured in 2018.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.8% on the previous year and down 7.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in Sri Lanka peaked at 865,197 number in 1981 and was at its lowest, 709,904 number, in 2016.
Sri Lanka ranks 42nd of 87 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 865,197 number | — |
| 2001 | 766,129 number | -11.5% |
| 2006 | 820,944 number | +7.2% |
| 2008 | 840,225 number | +2.3% |
| 2010 | 788,178 number | -6.2% |
| 2016 | 709,904 number | -9.9% |
| 2017 | 759,663 number | +7.0% |
| 2018 | 781,235 number | +2.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 865,197 number | 865,197 number | 865,197 number | 1 |
| 2000s | 809,099 number | 766,129 number | 840,225 number | 3 |
| 2010s | 759,745 number | 709,904 number | 788,178 number | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
- 39 Central African Republic 984,428 number compare
- 40 Colombia 921,657 number compare
- 41 Zambia 828,427 number compare
- 43 Malaysia 756,355 number compare
- 44 Saudi Arabia 730,194 number compare
- 45 Philippines 610,055 number compare
More education data for Sri Lanka
- 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)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in Sri Lanka?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female in Sri Lanka was 781,235 number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 865,197 number in 1981.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 709,904 number in 2016.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female?
- Sri Lanka ranks 42nd out of 87 countries with data for 2018.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, female rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- 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, 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.