Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Malaysia
Malaysia: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes was 727,394 in 2022. ▲ Rising
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Malaysia, 1991–2022
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Malaysia is 727,394, measured in 2022.
That represents a change of down 8.3% on the previous year and up 10.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Malaysia peaked at 793,451 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 657,375, in 2010.
That places Malaysia 18th out of 40 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 666,992 | — |
| 2000 | 689,070 | +3.3% |
| 2010 | 657,375 | -4.6% |
| 2016 | 692,838 | +5.4% |
| 2017 | 683,764 | -1.3% |
| 2018 | 783,191 | +14.5% |
| 2019 | 793,451 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 727,394 | -8.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 666,992 | 666,992 | 666,992 | 1 |
| 2000s | 689,070 | 689,070 | 689,070 | 1 |
| 2010s | 722,124 | 657,375 | 793,451 | 5 |
| 2020s | 727,394 | 727,394 | 727,394 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More education data for Malaysia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 217,105 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 475,967 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 460,041 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.64 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.06 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.2 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0859 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Malaysia?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Malaysia was 727,394 in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 793,451 in 2019.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 657,375 in 2010.
- How does Malaysia rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes?
- Malaysia ranks 18th out of 40 countries with data for 2022.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Malaysia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release