Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo: Literacy rates vs average years of schooling was 68.5 in 2023. ▲ Rising
Latest (2023)
68.5
Change on year
up 4.3%
World rank
107th
of 128 countries
All-time high
77.04
in 2016
All-time low
37.5
in 1950
Years of data
7
1950–2023
Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Democratic Republic of Congo, 1950–2023
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Democratic Republic of Congo is 68.5, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 4.3% on the previous year and down 8.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Democratic Republic of Congo peaked at 77.04 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 37.5, in 1950.
That places Democratic Republic of Congo 107th out of 128 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Democratic Republic of Congo, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 37.5 | — |
| 2001 | 67.17 | +79.1% |
| 2012 | 75.02 | +11.7% |
| 2016 | 77.04 | +2.7% |
| 2018 | 73.55 | -4.5% |
| 2020 | 65.68 | -10.7% |
| 2023 | 68.5 | +4.3% |
Democratic Republic of Congo compared with similar countries
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 68.5 is above the median for low income countries, which is 61.06, 1.1× the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Democratic Republic of Congo's 68.5 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 70.74, 97% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 37.5 | 37.5 | 37.5 | 1 |
| 2000s | 67.17 | 67.17 | 67.17 | 1 |
| 2010s | 75.2 | 73.55 | 77.04 | 3 |
| 2020s | 67.09 | 65.68 | 68.5 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of Congo
More education data for Democratic Republic of Congo
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 33.69 (1999)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 34.65 (1999)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 621,578 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1.99 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 410,532 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 427,300 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 7.93 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 21.15 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 7.35 % change on previous year (2021)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Democratic Republic of Congo was 68.5 in 2023, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest literacy rates vs average years of schooling recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 77.04 in 2016.
- What is the lowest literacy rates vs average years of schooling recorded in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 37.5 in 1950.
- How does Democratic Republic of Congo rank for literacy rates vs average years of schooling?
- Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 107th out of 128 countries with data for 2023.
- Is literacy rates vs average years of schooling rising or falling in Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Democratic Republic of Congo data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Literacy rates vs average years of schooling. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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