Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Nigeria
Nigeria: Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes was 91.0% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
91.0%
Change on year
up 1.1%
World rank
60th
of 72 countries
All-time high
95.7%
in 2011
All-time low
63.6%
in 2007
Years of data
9
1991–2024
Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Nigeria, 1991–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Nigeria is 91.0%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 1.1% on the previous year and down 2.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Nigeria peaked at 95.7% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 63.6%, in 2007.
That places Nigeria 60th out of 72 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 84.9% | — |
| 2003 | 84.2% | -0.8% |
| 2007 | 63.6% | -24.4% |
| 2008 | 86.8% | +36.5% |
| 2011 | 95.7% | +10.3% |
| 2013 | 93.3% | -2.5% |
| 2016 | 91.8% | -1.7% |
| 2021 | 90.1% | -1.8% |
| 2024 | 91.0% | +1.1% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 91.0% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 95.9%, 95% of the median. (24 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 91.0% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 91.0%, 1.0× the median. (21 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 84.9% | 84.9% | 84.9% | 1 |
| 2000s | 78.2% | 63.6% | 86.8% | 3 |
| 2010s | 93.6% | 91.8% | 95.7% | 3 |
| 2020s | 90.6% | 90.1% | 91.0% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
- 57 Uganda 94.2% compare
- 58 Timor-Leste 94.0% compare
- 59 Bangladesh 93.5% compare
- 61 Cameroon 91.0% compare
- 62 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 88.5% compare
- 63 Mozambique 87.9% compare
More education data for Nigeria
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 912,245 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.08 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.24 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 15.20 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 33.42 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.18 % change on previous year (2021)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1466 units per person (2023)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Nigeria?
- Youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in Nigeria was 91.0% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 95.7% in 2011.
- What is the lowest youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 63.6% in 2007.
- How does Nigeria rank for youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes?
- Nigeria ranks 60th out of 72 countries with data for 2024.
- Is youth literacy rate, population 15-24 years, urban, both sexes rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Nigeria 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