Global Illiterate Population by Age Group and Sex (2016)

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics

Global Illiterate Population by Age Group and Sex (2016)

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Key Findings

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Adults (15+) - Both Sexes leads in Illiterate Population (Millions) with 750 in 2016.

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Average Illiterate Population (Millions) in 2016: 250 · median: 164.

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Gap in 2016: Adults (15+) - Both Sexes is 17× larger than Youth (15-24) - Men.

About This Dataset

Global Illiterate Population by Age Group and Sex (2016)

This chart shows the total number of illiterate people globally across four age groups, broken down by sex, based on UNESCO data for 2016. All values are in millions.

Analysis

Adults (15+) - Both Sexes (750), Aged 25-64 - Both Sexes (507) and Adults (15+) - Women (473) take the top three in Illiterate Population (Millions) in 2016. Values run from 750 at the top to 44 at the bottom, a spread of 706. First and second are separated by 243, so the leader sits inside the field rather than apart from it. Only 3 of the 12 reach even half the leader's figure (375 or more).

Data Insights Below

Data Insights

Numbers, trends & sources behind this chart

Admin

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Data Points

12 categories · 1 year

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Top Value

750

Adults (15+) - Both Sexes

Illiterate Population (Millions) · 2016

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Metrics

Illiterate Population (Millions)

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Period

2016

Single year snapshot

Methodology & source

Data source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Coverage: 12 entities · 2016 · 12 observations
Measure: Illiterate Population (Millions)
Last updated: 6 September 2026
Compiled by: The ANYSTAT team, from the source above

How the figures are calculated

Values use the measure and unit named on this page. Consult the dataset description and cited source for coverage, definitions and any unit conversions. Displayed values may be rounded for readability.
Entities are ranked highest-first on their value in 2016.

Rankings & Full Data

12 records · Illiterate Population (Millions) · ranked by 2016

✓ 12 sourced

#	Category	2016
🥇	Adults (15+) - Both Sexes	750
🥈	Aged 25-64 - Both Sexes	507
🥉	Adults (15+) - Women	473
4	Aged 25-64 - Women	321
5	Adults (15+) - Men	277
6	Aged 25-64 - Men	186
7	Elderly (65+) - Both Sexes	141
8	Youth (15-24) - Both Sexes	102
9	Elderly (65+) - Women	94
10	Youth (15-24) - Women	58
11	Elderly (65+) - Men	47
12	Youth (15-24) - Men	44

Data Sources & References

All external sources cited in this dataset

1 http://uis.unesco.org Visit ↗

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APA

ANYSTAT. (2026). Global Illiterate Population by Age Group and Sex (2016) [Data set]. Data: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. https://anystat.ai/stats/837/global-illiterate-population-by-age-group-and-sex-2016-1782752113

MLA

"Global Illiterate Population by Age Group and Sex (2016)." ANYSTAT, 6 Sep. 2026, https://anystat.ai/stats/837/global-illiterate-population-by-age-group-and-sex-2016-1782752113.

Link for your website

<a href="https://anystat.ai/stats/837/global-illiterate-population-by-age-group-and-sex-2016-1782752113">Global Illiterate Population by Age Group and Sex (2016)</a> (ANYSTAT)

Global Illiterate Population by Age Group and Sex (2016)