Sri Lanka: Literacy rate

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 Sri Lanka

Literacy rate

 Latest value 92.43
 Year 2021
 Measure percent
 Data availability 1981 - 2021
 Average 91.19
 Min - Max 86.78 - 92.43
 Source UNESCO
The latest value from 2021 is 92.43 percent, an increase from 92.38 percent in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 91.79 percent, based on data from 39 countries. Historically, the average for Sri Lanka from 1981 to 2021 is 91.19 percent. The minimum value, 86.78 percent, was reached in 1981 while the maximum of 92.43 percent was recorded in 2021. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
Select indicator
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
Sri Lanka - Literacy rate - Recent values chart

Historical series
Sri Lanka - Literacy rate - historical chart - 1981-2021




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 1.20 2022 percent
 Education spending, percent of government spending 5.35 2022 percent
 Literacy rate 92.43 2021 percent
 Female literacy rate, ages 15-24 99.14 2021 percent
 Male literacy rate, ages 15-24 98.71 2021 percent
 Youth literacy rate, ages 15-24 98.93 2021 percent
 Student teacher ratio, primary school 21.74 2018 students per teacher
 Primary school completion rate 98.56 2021 percent
 School starting age, primary school 5 2022 years
 Female to male ratio, primary school pupils 1.00 2020 percent
 Female to male ratio, secondary school students 1.05 2018 percent
 Female to male ratio, students at tertiary level education 1.40 2022 percent
 Preprimary school enrollment 71.84 2020 percent
 Primary school enrollment 95.92 2022 percent
 Secondary school enrollment 89.48 2022 percent
 Tertiary school enrollment 22.96 2022 percent
 Trained teachers in primary education 87.63 2021 percent
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