Cross country literacy rates in Gambia
Gambia: Cross country literacy rates was 51.64 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Latest (2021)
51.64
Change on year
down 2.9%
World rank
117th
of 128 countries
All-time high
53.16
in 2018
All-time low
7.5
in 1950
Years of data
5
1950–2021
Cross country literacy rates in Gambia, 1950–2021
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for cross country literacy rates in Gambia is 51.64, measured in 2021.
The figure is down 2.9% on the previous year and up 1.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, cross country literacy rates in Gambia peaked at 53.16 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 7.5, in 1950.
Gambia ranks 117th of 128 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Cross country literacy rates in Gambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 7.5 | — |
| 2000 | 36.82 | +390.9% |
| 2015 | 50.78 | +37.9% |
| 2018 | 53.16 | +4.7% |
| 2021 | 51.64 | -2.9% |
Gambia compared with similar countries
- Gambia's 51.64 is below the median for low income countries, which is 61.06, 85% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Gambia's 51.64 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 70.87, 73% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 1 |
| 2000s | 36.82 | 36.82 | 36.82 | 1 |
| 2010s | 51.97 | 50.78 | 53.16 | 2 |
| 2020s | 51.64 | 51.64 | 51.64 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Gambia
More education data for Gambia
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 89.78 (2025)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 83.09 (2025)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 12,452 (2021)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 16,389 (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 71,238 (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 77,061 (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 369,783 (2021)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 442,901 (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.4 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is cross country literacy rates in Gambia?
- Cross country literacy rates in Gambia was 51.64 in 2021, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest cross country literacy rates recorded in Gambia?
- The highest recorded value was 53.16 in 2018.
- What is the lowest cross country literacy rates recorded in Gambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.5 in 1950.
- How does Gambia rank for cross country literacy rates?
- Gambia ranks 117th out of 128 countries with data for 2021.
- Is cross country literacy rates rising or falling in Gambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Gambia data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Cross country literacy rates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 5 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).