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.
About: Global Illiterate Population by Age Group and Sex (2016)
Overview of the data behind this chartAI Insight
Of the 750 million illiterate adults globally in 2016, women account for 473 million - nearly 63% - underscoring a persistent gender gap in literacy. The working-age population (25-64) holds the largest share of illiteracy at 507 million, making it the most critical demographic for targeted literacy interventions. While youth illiteracy at 102 million is comparatively lower, it remains a significant figure indicating that schooling access and quality gaps persist in several regions. The elderly illiterate population of 141 million, largely women, reflects the historical disadvantage women faced in accessing education decades ago.
Key Findings
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Global Illiterate Population by Age Group and Sex (2016)
Data Insights
Numbers, trends & sources behind this chartCategory Rankings
Illiterate Population (Millions) · 2016| # | 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 |
What This Data Shows
Auto-generated trend summaries per categoryFull Data Table
12 records across 1 yearData Sources & References
All external sources cited in this datasetRelated Charts
Global Literacy Rate by Age Group and Sex (2016) Related Chart
Youth Literacy Rate and 50-Year Progress by Region and Sex (2016) Related Chart
Youth vs Elderly Literacy Rate by Region (2016) Related Chart
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