Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes was 140,537 in 2024. ▲ Rising
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka, 2001–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2024, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka stood at 140,537.
That represents a change of down 8.8% on the previous year and down 5.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka peaked at 179,260 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 126,858, in 2006.
Sri Lanka ranks 30th of 40 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 13 years of available data.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 154,619 | — |
| 2006 | 126,858 | -18.0% |
| 2008 | 127,147 | +0.2% |
| 2010 | 131,706 | +3.6% |
| 2016 | 147,892 | +12.3% |
| 2017 | 168,077 | +13.6% |
| 2018 | 179,260 | +6.7% |
| 2019 | 134,850 | -24.8% |
| 2020 | 144,988 | +7.5% |
| 2021 | 141,379 | -2.5% |
| 2022 | 145,616 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | 154,150 | +5.9% |
| 2024 | 140,537 | -8.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 136,208 | 126,858 | 154,619 | 3 |
| 2010s | 152,357 | 131,706 | 179,260 | 5 |
| 2020s | 145,334 | 140,537 | 154,150 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More education data for Sri Lanka
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 155,543 (2023)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka was 140,537 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 179,260 in 2018.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 126,858 in 2006.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes?
- Sri Lanka ranks 30th out of 40 countries with data for 2024.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 5.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- 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, urban, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release