Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in India
India: Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes was 7.34 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in India, 2001–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in India is 7.34 million, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
That represents a change of down 14.4% on the previous year and down 77.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in India peaked at 47.03 million in 2001 and was at its lowest, 7.34 million, in 2023.
India ranks 2nd of 58 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 47.03 million | — |
| 2006 | 39.43 million | -16.2% |
| 2011 | 31.99 million | -18.9% |
| 2022 | 8.57 million | -73.2% |
| 2023 | 7.34 million | -14.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 43.23 million | 39.43 million | 47.03 million | 2 |
| 2010s | 31.99 million | 31.99 million | 31.99 million | 1 |
| 2020s | 7.95 million | 7.34 million | 8.57 million | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
- 1 Pakistan 12.47 million compare
- 3 Bangladesh 2.14 million compare
- 4 Burkina Faso 2.14 million compare
- 5 Egypt 2.13 million compare
More education data for India
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 18.52 million (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 133.16 million (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 126.12 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -8.85 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0862 units per person (2025)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 126.12 million (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth -8.85 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in India?
- Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in India was 7.34 million in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 47.03 million in 2001.
- What is the lowest youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.34 million in 2023.
- How does India rank for youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes?
- India ranks 2nd out of 58 countries with data for 2023.
- Is youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 77.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release