Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, both sexes in Vanuatu
Vanuatu: Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, both sexes was 88.0% in 2023. ▲ Rising
Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, both sexes in Vanuatu, 1979–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, both sexes in Vanuatu is 88.0%, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 2.0% on the previous year and down 4.9% over five years.
Over the whole period, adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, both sexes in Vanuatu peaked at 92.5% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 52.9%, in 1979.
That places Vanuatu 52nd out of 89 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, both sexes in Vanuatu, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 52.9% | — |
| 1999 | 74.0% | +40.0% |
| 2019 | 92.5% | +25.0% |
| 2020 | 89.8% | -2.9% |
| 2023 | 88.0% | -2.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 52.9% | 52.9% | 52.9% | 1 |
| 1990s | 74.0% | 74.0% | 74.0% | 1 |
| 2010s | 92.5% | 92.5% | 92.5% | 1 |
| 2020s | 88.9% | 88.0% | 89.8% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Vanuatu
- 49 Iran, Islamic Republic of 88.9% compare
- 50 Cape Verde 88.5% compare
- 51 Honduras 88.2% compare
- 53 Namibia 87.6% compare
- 54 Sao Tome and Principe 87.4% compare
- 55 Tunisia 86.2% compare
More education data for Vanuatu
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 1,186 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1,492 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 8,030 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 7,738 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 61,360 (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 56,048 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.48 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.171 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, both sexes in Vanuatu?
- Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, both sexes in Vanuatu was 88.0% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Vanuatu?
- The highest recorded value was 92.5% in 2019.
- What is the lowest adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, both sexes recorded in Vanuatu?
- The lowest recorded value was 52.9% in 1979.
- How does Vanuatu rank for adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, both sexes?
- Vanuatu ranks 52nd out of 89 countries with data for 2023.
- Where does this Vanuatu data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release