In 2024, the illiteracy rate among adults aged 15 years and older was almost 32 percent in Sub-Saharan Africa. In South Asia, the illiteracy rate was 21.77 percent. The adult illiteracy rate is defined as the percentage of the population aged 15 and older who cannot read or write. Even though illiteracy continues to persist around the world, illiteracy levels have been reduced significantly over the past decades.
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World Bank. (October 7, 2025). The illiteracy rate among all adults (over 15-year-old) in 2024, by world region [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from /statistics/262886/illiteracy-rates-by-world-regions/
World Bank. "The illiteracy rate among all adults (over 15-year-old) in 2024, by world region." Chart. October 7, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 26, 2026. /statistics/262886/illiteracy-rates-by-world-regions/
World Bank. (2025). The illiteracy rate among all adults (over 15-year-old) in 2024, by world region. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 26, 2026. /statistics/262886/illiteracy-rates-by-world-regions/
World Bank. "The Illiteracy Rate among All Adults (over 15-year-old) in 2024, by World Region." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 7 Oct 2025, /statistics/262886/illiteracy-rates-by-world-regions/
World Bank, The illiteracy rate among all adults (over 15-year-old) in 2024, by world region ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/262886/illiteracy-rates-by-world-regions/ (last visited July 26, 2026)
The illiteracy rate among all adults (over 15-year-old) in 2024, by world region [Graph], World Bank, October 7, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/262886/illiteracy-rates-by-world-regions/
