Nigeria: Literacy rate

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 Nigeria

Literacy rate

 Latest value 63.16
 Year 2021
 Measure percent
 Data availability 1991 - 2021
 Average 59.21
 Min - Max 51.08 - 70.00
 Source UNESCO
The latest value from 2021 is 63.16 percent, an increase from 62.02 percent in 2018. In comparison, the world average is 86.53 percent, based on data from 48 countries. Historically, the average for Nigeria from 1991 to 2021 is 59.21 percent. The minimum value, 51.08 percent, was reached in 2008 while the maximum of 70 percent was recorded in 2006. See the global rankings or world map for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
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* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
Nigeria - Literacy rate - Recent values chart




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 0.35 2022 percent
 Education spending, percent of government spending 4.40 2023 percent
 Literacy rate 63.16 2021 percent
 Female literacy rate, ages 15-24 69.05 2021 percent
 Male literacy rate, ages 15-24 77.78 2021 percent
 Youth literacy rate, ages 15-24 73.67 2021 percent
 Student teacher ratio, primary school 37.55 2010 students per teacher
 Primary school completion rate 72.99 2010 percent
 School starting age, primary school 6 2023 years
 Female to male ratio, primary school pupils 1.01 2019 percent
 Female to male ratio, secondary school students 0.95 2018 percent
 Female to male ratio, students at tertiary level education 0.73 2018 percent
 Preprimary school enrollment 23.46 2018 percent
 Primary school enrollment 86.72 2021 percent
 Secondary school enrollment 47.24 2021 percent
 Tertiary school enrollment 11.81 2018 percent
 Trained teachers in primary education 62.18 2018 percent
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