Literacy rate, youth total in Gambia
Gambia: Literacy rate, youth total was 67.5% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Literacy rate, youth total in Gambia, 2000–2021
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of people ages 15-24.
Analysis
The most recent figure for literacy rate, youth total in Gambia is 67.5%, measured in 2021.
The figure is down 5.1% on the previous year and down 7.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literacy rate, youth total in Gambia peaked at 72.6% in 2013 and was at its lowest, 52.6%, in 2000.
That places Gambia 87th out of 95 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Literacy rate, youth total in Gambia, year by year
| Year | % of people ages 15-24 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 52.6% | — |
| 2013 | 72.6% | +38.2% |
| 2015 | 67.2% | -7.5% |
| 2018 | 71.1% | +5.8% |
| 2021 | 67.5% | -5.1% |
Gambia compared with similar countries
- Gambia's 67.5% is below the median for low income countries, which is 72.2%, 93% of the median. (14 countries reporting)
- Gambia's 67.5% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 81.9%, 82% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 52.6% | 52.6% | 52.6% | 1 |
| 2010s | 70.3% | 67.2% | 72.6% | 3 |
| 2020s | 67.5% | 67.5% | 67.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Gambia
- 84 Sierra Leone 73.0% compare
- 85 Mozambique 71.4% compare
- 86 Benin 71.2% compare
- 88 Senegal 67.5% compare
- 89 Côte d'Ivoire 66.8% compare
- 90 Burkina Faso 62.8% compare
More education data for Gambia
- 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)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1569 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rate, youth total in Gambia?
- Literacy rate, youth total in Gambia was 67.5% in 2021, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest literacy rate, youth total recorded in Gambia?
- The highest recorded value was 72.6% in 2013.
- What is the lowest literacy rate, youth total recorded in Gambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 52.6% in 2000.
- How does Gambia rank for literacy rate, youth total?
- Gambia ranks 87th out of 95 countries with data for 2021.
- Is literacy rate, youth total rising or falling in Gambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Gambia data come from?
- The figures come from Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Literacy rate, youth total (% of people ages 15-24). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Youth literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.