Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in India
India: Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes was 20.54 million number in 2018. ▼ Falling
Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in India, 1981–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in India is 20.54 million number, measured in 2018. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 50.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in India peaked at 64.65 million number in 1991 and was at its lowest, 20.54 million number, in 2018.
India ranks 1st of 86 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in India, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 64.39 million number | — |
| 1991 | 64.65 million number | +0.4% |
| 2001 | 49.53 million number | -23.4% |
| 2006 | 41.42 million number | -16.4% |
| 2011 | 32.66 million number | -21.1% |
| 2018 | 20.54 million number | -37.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 64.39 million number | 64.39 million number | 64.39 million number | 1 |
| 1990s | 64.65 million number | 64.65 million number | 64.65 million number | 1 |
| 2000s | 45.47 million number | 41.42 million number | 49.53 million number | 2 |
| 2010s | 26.60 million number | 20.54 million number | 32.66 million number | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
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 20.54 million number in 2018, 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 64.65 million number in 1991.
- What is the lowest youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 20.54 million number in 2018.
- How does India rank for youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes?
- India ranks 1st out of 86 countries with data for 2018.
- Is youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 50.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- 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
Total number of youth between age 15 and age 24 who cannot both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life.