Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes was 5,219 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka, 1981–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka is 5,219, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 6.9% on the previous year and down 27.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka peaked at 32,005 in 1981 and was at its lowest, 2,871, in 2018.
That places Sri Lanka 34th out of 42 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 32,005 | — |
| 2001 | 28,491 | -11.0% |
| 2006 | 15,942 | -44.0% |
| 2008 | 8,092 | -49.2% |
| 2010 | 5,180 | -36.0% |
| 2016 | 7,201 | +39.0% |
| 2017 | 7,086 | -1.6% |
| 2018 | 2,871 | -59.5% |
| 2019 | 4,094 | +42.6% |
| 2020 | 6,407 | +56.5% |
| 2021 | 3,987 | -37.8% |
| 2022 | 4,402 | +10.4% |
| 2023 | 5,606 | +27.4% |
| 2024 | 5,219 | -6.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 32,005 | 32,005 | 32,005 | 1 |
| 2000s | 17,508 | 8,092 | 28,491 | 3 |
| 2010s | 5,286 | 2,871 | 7,201 | 5 |
| 2020s | 5,124 | 3,987 | 6,407 | 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 illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka?
- Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Sri Lanka was 5,219 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 32,005 in 1981.
- What is the lowest illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,871 in 2018.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes?
- Sri Lanka ranks 34th out of 42 countries with data for 2024.
- Is illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release