Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes was 57.2% in 2022. ▲ Rising
Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in Afghanistan, 1979–2022
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in Afghanistan is 57.2%, measured in 2022. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.
That represents a change of up 18.9% on the previous year and up 53.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in Afghanistan peaked at 57.2% in 2022 and was at its lowest, 25.3%, in 1979.
That places Afghanistan 63rd out of 68 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 25.3% | — |
| 2011 | 37.3% | +47.5% |
| 2015 | 31.1% | -16.6% |
| 2021 | 48.1% | +54.7% |
| 2022 | 57.2% | +18.9% |
Afghanistan compared with similar countries
- Afghanistan's 57.2% is below the median for low income countries, which is 60.2%, 95% of the median. (11 countries reporting)
- Afghanistan's 57.2% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 96.7%, 59% of the median. (10 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 25.3% | 25.3% | 25.3% | 1 |
| 2010s | 34.2% | 31.1% | 37.3% | 2 |
| 2020s | 52.7% | 48.1% | 57.2% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
- 60 Benin 62.0% compare
- 61 Sierra Leone 60.2% compare
- 62 Mozambique 58.5% compare
- 64 Senegal 56.9% compare
- 65 Burkina Faso 54.7% compare
- 66 Niger 45.1% compare
More education data for Afghanistan
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 88,020 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 343,942 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 13,837 (2003)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 10,383 (2003)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.43 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 7.51 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 3.56 % change on previous year (2019)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0004 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1811 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in Afghanistan?
- Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in Afghanistan was 57.2% in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 57.2% in 2022.
- What is the lowest youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 25.3% in 1979.
- How does Afghanistan rank for youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes?
- Afghanistan ranks 63rd out of 68 countries with data for 2022.
- Is youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 53.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, rural, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release