Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes was 39,534 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in Sri Lanka, 1981–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
Sri Lanka recorded 39,534 for youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 27.2% on the previous year and down 11.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in Sri Lanka peaked at 270,533 in 1981 and was at its lowest, 31,071, in 2023.
Sri Lanka ranks 32nd of 58 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 270,533 | — |
| 2001 | 165,850 | -38.7% |
| 2006 | 88,914 | -46.4% |
| 2008 | 69,371 | -22.0% |
| 2010 | 62,035 | -10.6% |
| 2016 | 44,465 | -28.3% |
| 2017 | 38,972 | -12.4% |
| 2018 | 41,472 | +6.4% |
| 2019 | 35,205 | -15.1% |
| 2020 | 39,159 | +11.2% |
| 2021 | 36,817 | -6.0% |
| 2022 | 41,597 | +13.0% |
| 2023 | 31,071 | -25.3% |
| 2024 | 39,534 | +27.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 270,533 | 270,533 | 270,533 | 1 |
| 2000s | 108,045 | 69,371 | 165,850 | 3 |
| 2010s | 44,430 | 35,205 | 62,035 | 5 |
| 2020s | 37,636 | 31,071 | 41,597 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More education data for Sri Lanka
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 155,543 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 224,799 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 214,300 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.54 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.58 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -2.89 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0715 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in Sri Lanka?
- Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in Sri Lanka was 39,534 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 270,533 in 1981.
- What is the lowest youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 31,071 in 2023.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes?
- Sri Lanka ranks 32nd out of 58 countries with data for 2024.
- Is youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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