Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Nigeria
Nigeria: Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes was 46.1% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Nigeria, 1991–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
Nigeria recorded 46.1% for elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in 2024.
The figure is up 14.1% on the previous year and up 56.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Nigeria peaked at 48.6% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 21.0%, in 2003.
That places Nigeria 61st out of 85 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 22.2% | — |
| 2003 | 21.0% | -5.1% |
| 2006 | 42.5% | +101.9% |
| 2016 | 29.5% | -30.5% |
| 2019 | 48.6% | +64.5% |
| 2021 | 40.4% | -16.7% |
| 2024 | 46.1% | +14.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 22.2% | 22.2% | 22.2% | 1 |
| 2000s | 31.8% | 21.0% | 42.5% | 2 |
| 2010s | 39.0% | 29.5% | 48.6% | 2 |
| 2020s | 43.3% | 40.4% | 46.1% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
- 58 Iran, Islamic Republic of 49.8% compare
- 59 Cape Verde 49.2% compare
- 60 Uganda 46.6% compare
- 62 India 46.1% compare
- 63 Bangladesh 45.5% compare
- 64 Rwanda 42.0% compare
More education data for Nigeria
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 912,245 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.08 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.24 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 15.20 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 33.42 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.18 % change on previous year (2021)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1466 units per person (2023)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Nigeria?
- Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes in Nigeria was 46.1% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 48.6% in 2019.
- What is the lowest elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.0% in 2003.
- How does Nigeria rank for elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes?
- Nigeria ranks 61st out of 85 countries with data for 2024.
- Is elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 56.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Elderly literacy rate, population 65+ years, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release