Afghanistan: Literacy rate
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
| Afghanistan |
Literacy rate |
|---|---|
| Latest value | 37.27 |
| Year | 2021 |
| Measure | percent |
| Data availability | 1979 - 2021 |
| Average | 28.96 |
| Min - Max | 18.16 - 37.27 |
| Source | UNESCO |
The latest value from 2021 is 37.27 percent, an increase from 31.45 percent in 2011. In comparison, the world average is 91.79 percent, based on data from 39 countries. Historically, the average for Afghanistan from 1979 to 2021 is 28.96 percent. The minimum value, 18.16 percent, was reached in 1979 while the maximum of 37.27 percent was recorded in 2021.
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Definition: Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.
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| Related indicators | Latest | Reference | Measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education spending, percent of GDP | 4.34 | 2017 | percent |
| Education spending, percent of government spending | 8.20 | 2017 | percent |
| Literacy rate | 37.27 | 2021 | percent |
| Female literacy rate, ages 15-24 | 41.59 | 2021 | percent |
| Male literacy rate, ages 15-24 | 71.24 | 2021 | percent |
| Youth literacy rate, ages 15-24 | 55.93 | 2021 | percent |
| Student teacher ratio, primary school | 48.79 | 2018 | students per teacher |
| Primary school completion rate | 86.18 | 2019 | percent |
| School starting age, primary school | 7 | 2022 | years |
| Female to male ratio, primary school pupils | 0.67 | 2019 | percent |
| Female to male ratio, secondary school students | 0.57 | 2018 | percent |
| Female to male ratio, students at tertiary level education | 0.38 | 2020 | percent |
| Preprimary school enrollment | 1.06 | 2011 | percent |
| Primary school enrollment | 110.01 | 2019 | percent |
| Secondary school enrollment | 57.04 | 2018 | percent |
| Tertiary school enrollment | 10.86 | 2020 | percent |