Global Literacy Statistics (2024-2025)
While global literacy rates are relatively high overall, there are stark differences across regions and countries:

• The global literacy rate for people aged 15 and older is 86.3%.
• Among this group, the literacy rate is 90% for males and 82.7% for females.
• Developed countries typically report adult literacy rates of 96% or higher.
• Least developed countries have an average literacy rate of just 65%.
• Reliable cross-country comparisons are complicated due to inconsistent reporting and varying definitions of literacy.

U.S. Literacy Statistics (2024)

• 79% of adults in the U.S. are considered literate.
• 21% of U.S. adults are illiterate.
• 54% of adults read below a 6th-grade level, with 20% reading below a 5th-grade level.
• Low literacy is estimated to cost the U.S. economy up to $2.2 trillion annually.
• 34% of adults with limited literacy skills were born outside the United States.
• Massachusetts has the highest child literacy rate.
• New Mexico has the lowest child literacy rate.
• New Hampshire ranks highest in adult literacy.
• California ranks lowest in adult literacy.

U.S. Global Literacy Ranking (2024-2025)

• The United States ranks 36th in literacy worldwide.

The Link Between Literacy and Poverty (2024-2025)

• Literacy and poverty are closely connected. In impoverished areas, children often lack access to education because families must prioritize earning income over attending school.
• The lowest literacy rates are commonly found in South Asia, West Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa—regions that are also among the poorest in the world.

Gender Disparities in Literacy (2024-2025)

• Women account for nearly two-thirds of the estimated 781 million adults worldwide who cannot read or write.
• In less-developed countries, cultural expectations frequently assign women caregiving roles at home, limiting their access to education.
• In contrast, developed nations tend to have higher literacy rates and a much smaller gap between male and female literacy levels.

All statistics are provided courtesy of the National Literacy Institute. For additional information on literacy in the USA and worldwide, please visit Literacy Statistics 2024- 2025.