Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in India
India: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male was 90.08 million number in 2018. ▼ Falling
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in India, 1981–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in India is 90.08 million number, measured in 2018. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of down 10.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in India peaked at 110.03 million number in 1991 and was at its lowest, 90.08 million number, in 2018.
India ranks 1st of 87 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in India, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 101.90 million number | — |
| 1991 | 110.03 million number | +8.0% |
| 2001 | 96.87 million number | -12.0% |
| 2006 | 100.98 million number | +4.2% |
| 2011 | 95.06 million number | -5.9% |
| 2018 | 90.08 million number | -5.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 101.90 million number | 101.90 million number | 101.90 million number | 1 |
| 1990s | 110.03 million number | 110.03 million number | 110.03 million number | 1 |
| 2000s | 98.92 million number | 96.87 million number | 100.98 million number | 2 |
| 2010s | 92.57 million number | 90.08 million number | 95.06 million number | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
More education data for India
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 60.33 million (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), annual growth rate -8.64 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), per capita 0.0412 units per person (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), gaps filled 65.78 million (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), annual growth rate -9.05 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), per capita 0.0449 units per person (2025)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in India?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in India was 90.08 million number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 110.03 million number in 1991.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 90.08 million number in 2018.
- How does India rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male?
- India ranks 1st out of 87 countries with data for 2018.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total number of males over age 15 who cannot both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life.