Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Egypt
Egypt: Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes was 80.9% in 2013. ▲ Rising
Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Egypt, 1986–2013
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Egypt is 80.9%, measured in 2013.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.8% on the previous year and up 11.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Egypt peaked at 83.3% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 59.9%, in 1986.
Egypt ranks 47th of 57 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Egypt, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 59.9% | — |
| 2005 | 72.9% | +21.7% |
| 2010 | 81.7% | +12.1% |
| 2012 | 83.3% | +1.9% |
| 2013 | 80.9% | -2.8% |
Egypt compared with similar countries
- Egypt's 80.9% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 84.3%, 96% of the median. (16 countries reporting)
- Egypt's 80.9% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 94.7%, 85% of the median. (11 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 59.9% | 59.9% | 59.9% | 1 |
| 2000s | 72.9% | 72.9% | 72.9% | 1 |
| 2010s | 82.0% | 80.9% | 83.3% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Egypt
More education data for Egypt
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 507,445 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 95,355 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 759,210 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 718,435 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 11.56 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 15.40 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.23 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1322 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Egypt?
- Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes in Egypt was 80.9% in 2013, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes recorded in Egypt?
- The highest recorded value was 83.3% in 2012.
- What is the lowest adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes recorded in Egypt?
- The lowest recorded value was 59.9% in 1986.
- How does Egypt rank for adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes?
- Egypt ranks 47th out of 57 countries with data for 2013.
- Is adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes rising or falling in Egypt?
- Over the last ten years it is up 11.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Egypt data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Adult literacy rate, population 15+ years, urban, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release