This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of the Factbook. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measure of educational results, is probably the most easily available and valid for international comparisons. Low levels of literacy, and education in general, can impede the economic development of a country in the current rapidly changing, technology-driven world. |
|
|
Rank |
country |
(%)
|
Date of Information |
|
|
|
52 |
Italy |
98.40 |
2001 census
|
|
67 |
Aruba |
97.30 |
2000 census
|
|
84 |
Chile |
95.70 |
2002 census
|
|
100 |
Peru |
92.90 |
2007 Census
|
|
101 |
Malta |
92.80 |
2005 Census
|
|
108 |
Palau |
92.00 |
1980 est.
|
|
114 |
Macau |
91.30 |
2001 census
|
|
122 |
Burma |
89.90 |
2006 est.
|
|
126 |
Qatar |
89.00 |
2004 census
|
|
139 |
Kenya |
85.10 |
2003 est.
|
|
145 |
Libya |
82.60 |
2003 est.
|
|
147 |
Oman |
81.40 |
2003 census
|
|
153 |
Syria |
79.60 |
2004 census
|
|
163 |
Laos |
73.00 |
2005 Census
|
|
164 |
Egypt |
71.40 |
2005 est.
|
|
177 |
Gabon |
63.20 |
1995 est.
|
|
179 |
Sudan |
61.10 |
2003 est.
|
|
180 |
India |
61.00 |
2001 census
|
|
185 |
Ghana |
57.90 |
2000 census
|
|
189 |
Haiti |
52.90 |
2003 est.
|
|
192 |
Yemen |
50.20 |
2003 est.
|
|
197 |
Nepal |
48.60 |
2001 census
|
|
208 |
Benin |
34.70 |
2002 census
|
|
210 |
Niger |
28.70 |
2005 est.
|
|
|