Youth/adult literacy rate in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Youth/adult literacy rate was 77.9% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
77.9%
World rank
61st
of 68 countries
All-time high
85.0%
in 2016
All-time low
70.4%
in 2001
Years of data
5
2001–2023

Youth/adult literacy rate in Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2001–2023

0204060802001201220232001: 70.42012: 83.62016: 852018: 84.12023: 77.9

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

In 2023, youth/adult literacy rate in Democratic Republic of the Congo stood at 77.9%.

That represents a change of down 6.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, youth/adult literacy rate in Democratic Republic of the Congo peaked at 85.0% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 70.4%, in 2001.

Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks 61st of 68 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Youth/adult literacy rate in Democratic Republic of the Congo, year by year

Annual values for Youth/adult literacy rate (%) in Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2001 to 2023.
Year Value Change
2001 70.4%
2012 83.6% +18.7%
2016 85.0% +1.7%
2018 84.1% -1.1%
2023 77.9% -7.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 70.4% 70.4% 70.4% 1
2010s 84.2% 83.6% 85.0% 3
2020s 77.9% 77.9% 77.9% 1

Countries ranked near Democratic Republic of the Congo

  1. 58 Uganda 85.2% compare
  2. 59 Ethiopia 84.7% compare
  3. 60 Nigeria 81.4% compare
  4. 62 Pakistan 73.1% compare
  5. 63 Benin 71.2% compare
  6. 64 Mozambique 70.1% compare

See the full ranking of 86 places →

More education data for Democratic Republic of the Congo

All data for Democratic Republic of the Congo →

Frequently asked questions

What is youth/adult literacy rate in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Youth/adult literacy rate in Democratic Republic of the Congo was 77.9% in 2023, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest youth/adult literacy rate recorded in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The highest recorded value was 85.0% in 2016.
What is the lowest youth/adult literacy rate recorded in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The lowest recorded value was 70.4% in 2001.
How does Democratic Republic of the Congo rank for youth/adult literacy rate?
Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks 61st out of 68 countries with data for 2023.
Is youth/adult literacy rate rising or falling in Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Over the last ten years it is down 6.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Democratic Republic of the Congo data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Youth/adult literacy rate (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Youth/adult literacy rate in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/youth-adult-literacy-rate-percent/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/

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About this data

Indicator
Youth/adult literacy rate (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
86 places, 1,038 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed