Literacy rates among adults in Vanuatu
Vanuatu: Literacy rates among adults was 88.0% in 2023. ▲ Rising
Literacy rates among adults in Vanuatu, 1979–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for literacy rates among adults in Vanuatu is 88.0%, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 2.0% on the previous year and down 4.9% over five years.
Over the whole period, literacy rates among adults in Vanuatu peaked at 92.5% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 52.9%, in 1979.
Vanuatu ranks 52nd of 89 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Literacy rates among adults in Vanuatu, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 52.9% | — |
| 1999 | 74.0% | +40.0% |
| 2019 | 92.5% | +25.0% |
| 2020 | 89.8% | -2.9% |
| 2023 | 88.0% | -2.0% |
Vanuatu compared with similar countries
- Vanuatu's 88.0% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 78.2%, 1.1× the median. (31 countries reporting)
- Vanuatu's 88.0% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 96.1%, 92% of the median. (16 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 52.9% | 52.9% | 52.9% | 1 |
| 1990s | 74.0% | 74.0% | 74.0% | 1 |
| 2010s | 92.5% | 92.5% | 92.5% | 1 |
| 2020s | 88.9% | 88.0% | 89.8% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Vanuatu
More education data for Vanuatu
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 1,186 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1,492 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 8,030 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 7,738 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 61,360 (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 56,048 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.48 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.171 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rates among adults in Vanuatu?
- Literacy rates among adults in Vanuatu was 88.0% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest literacy rates among adults recorded in Vanuatu?
- The highest recorded value was 92.5% in 2019.
- What is the lowest literacy rates among adults recorded in Vanuatu?
- The lowest recorded value was 52.9% in 1979.
- How does Vanuatu rank for literacy rates among adults?
- Vanuatu ranks 52nd out of 89 countries with data for 2023.
- Where does this Vanuatu 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 among adults. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population aged 15 years and older who can read and write.