Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in India
India: Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes was 98.0% in 2023. ▲ Rising
Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in India, 1981–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in India is 98.0%, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.4% on the previous year and up 7.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in India peaked at 98.0% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 75.8%, in 1981.
India ranks 38th of 72 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in India, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 75.8% | — |
| 2001 | 87.4% | +15.3% |
| 2011 | 91.4% | +4.6% |
| 2016 | 93.9% | +2.8% |
| 2022 | 97.6% | +3.9% |
| 2023 | 98.0% | +0.4% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 98.0% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 95.9%, 1.0× the median. (24 countries reporting)
- India's 98.0% is above the median for South Asia, which is 97.3%, 1.0× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 75.8% | 75.8% | 75.8% | 1 |
| 2000s | 87.4% | 87.4% | 87.4% | 1 |
| 2010s | 92.7% | 91.4% | 93.9% | 2 |
| 2020s | 97.8% | 97.6% | 98.0% | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
- 36 Dominican Republic 98.6% compare
- 37 Lesotho 98.5% compare
- 39 Honduras 97.8% compare
- 40 Thailand 97.8% compare
- 41 South Africa 97.5% compare
More education data for India
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.31 million (2025)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 3.10 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 19.37 million (2025)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in India?
- Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in India was 98.0% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 98.0% in 2023.
- What is the lowest youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 75.8% in 1981.
- How does India rank for youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes?
- India ranks 38th out of 72 countries with data for 2023.
- Is youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release