Literacy rates of older vs. younger population in Tanzania, United Republic of
Tanzania, United Republic of: Literacy rates of older vs. younger population was 53.9% in 2022. ▲ Rising
Literacy rates of older vs. younger population in Tanzania, United Republic of, 1988–2022
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for literacy rates of older vs. younger population in Tanzania, United Republic of is 53.9%, measured in 2022.
The figure is down 3.0% on the previous year and up 23.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literacy rates of older vs. younger population in Tanzania, United Republic of peaked at 55.6% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 16.3%, in 1988.
That places Tanzania, United Republic of 53rd out of 85 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
Literacy rates of older vs. younger population in Tanzania, United Republic of, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 16.3% | — |
| 2002 | 27.8% | +70.7% |
| 2012 | 43.6% | +56.8% |
| 2014 | 43.6% | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 43.5% | -0.3% |
| 2020 | 55.6% | +27.9% |
| 2022 | 53.9% | -3.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 16.3% | 16.3% | 16.3% | 1 |
| 2000s | 27.8% | 27.8% | 27.8% | 1 |
| 2010s | 43.5% | 43.5% | 43.6% | 3 |
| 2020s | 54.7% | 53.9% | 55.6% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Tanzania, United Republic of
More education data for Tanzania, United Republic of
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 2.83 million (2021)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 14.11 % change on previous year (2021)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 229,840 (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth rate 10.86 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.46 million (2021)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), annual growth rate 13.34 % change on previous year (2021)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.37 million (2021)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), annual growth rate 14.93 % change on previous year (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 1.68 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), annual -0.1774 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rates of older vs. younger population in Tanzania, United Republic of?
- Literacy rates of older vs. younger population in Tanzania, United Republic of was 53.9% in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest literacy rates of older vs. younger population recorded in Tanzania, United Republic of?
- The highest recorded value was 55.6% in 2020.
- What is the lowest literacy rates of older vs. younger population recorded in Tanzania, United Republic of?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.3% in 1988.
- How does Tanzania, United Republic of rank for literacy rates of older vs. younger population?
- Tanzania, United Republic of ranks 53rd out of 85 countries with data for 2022.
- Is literacy rates of older vs. younger population rising or falling in Tanzania, United Republic of?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Tanzania, United Republic of data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Literacy rates of older vs. younger population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population aged 65 years and older who can read and write.