Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Nigeria
Nigeria: Literacy rates vs average years of schooling was 63.16 in 2021. ▲ Rising
Latest (2021)
63.16
World rank
113th
of 128 countries
All-time high
70.2
in 2006
All-time low
12.5
in 1950
Years of data
6
1950–2021
Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Nigeria, 1950–2021
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Nigeria is 63.16, measured in 2021.
The figure is down 10.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Nigeria peaked at 70.2 in 2006 and was at its lowest, 12.5, in 1950.
That places Nigeria 113th out of 128 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 12.5 | — |
| 1991 | 55.45 | +343.6% |
| 2003 | 54.77 | -1.2% |
| 2006 | 70.2 | +28.2% |
| 2016 | 58.22 | -17.1% |
| 2021 | 63.16 | +8.5% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 63.16 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 79, 80% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 63.16 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 70.74, 89% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 12.5 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 1 |
| 1990s | 55.45 | 55.45 | 55.45 | 1 |
| 2000s | 62.48 | 54.77 | 70.2 | 2 |
| 2010s | 58.22 | 58.22 | 58.22 | 1 |
| 2020s | 63.16 | 63.16 | 63.16 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More education data for Nigeria
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 74.51 (2023)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 75.68 (2023)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Nigeria?
- Literacy rates vs average years of schooling in Nigeria was 63.16 in 2021, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest literacy rates vs average years of schooling recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 70.2 in 2006.
- What is the lowest literacy rates vs average years of schooling recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.5 in 1950.
- How does Nigeria rank for literacy rates vs average years of schooling?
- Nigeria ranks 113th out of 128 countries with data for 2021.
- Is literacy rates vs average years of schooling rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Nigeria 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.
Download this data
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