Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in Nigeria
Nigeria: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male was 15.90 million number in 2018. ▲ Rising
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in Nigeria, 1991–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in Nigeria is 15.90 million number, measured in 2018.
That represents a change of down 2.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in Nigeria peaked at 16.38 million number in 2008 and was at its lowest, 8.67 million number, in 1991.
That places Nigeria 3rd out of 87 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top 10%.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 8.67 million number | — |
| 2003 | 12.37 million number | +42.6% |
| 2006 | 9.59 million number | -22.5% |
| 2008 | 16.38 million number | +70.8% |
| 2018 | 15.90 million number | -2.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 8.67 million number | 8.67 million number | 8.67 million number | 1 |
| 2000s | 12.78 million number | 9.59 million number | 16.38 million number | 3 |
| 2010s | 15.90 million number | 15.90 million number | 15.90 million number | 1 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More education data for Nigeria
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.08 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.24 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 15.20 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 33.42 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.18 % change on previous year (2021)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1466 units per person (2023)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 33.42 million (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in Nigeria?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male in Nigeria was 15.90 million number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 16.38 million number in 2008.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.67 million number in 1991.
- How does Nigeria rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male?
- Nigeria ranks 3rd out of 87 countries with data for 2018.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, male rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Nigeria 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.