International Literacy Day
September 7, 2001
Washington, DC

Facts about illiteracy

This 1 billion is approximately 26 percent of the world's adult population.
Women make up two-thirds of all non-literates.
98 percent of all non-literates live in developing countries.
In the least developed countries, the overall illiteracy rate is 49 percent.
52 percent of all non-literates live in India and China.
Africa as a continent has a literacy rate of less than 60 percent.
In Sub-Saharan Africa since 1980, primary school enrollment has declined, going from 58 percent to 50 percent.
In all developing countries, the percentage of children aged 6-11 not attending school is 15 percent. In the least developed countries, it is 45 percent.(UNESCO 1998)

The average adult literacy rate among that population is an estimated 31 percent.
The average adult literacy rate in their mother tongue among speakers of lesser-known languages is an estimated 12 percent.
26 countries have more than 90 percent of the total national population speaking lesser-known languages. The average literacy rate in these countries is 63 percent.
21 countries have less than 1 percent of the total national population speaking lesser-known languages. The average literacy rate in these countries is 93 percent.
Of the world's non-literate population, an estimated 476 million are speakers of lesser-known languages. In other words, approximately 50 percent of all non-literates are minority language speakers.

Per capita income in countries with a literacy rate less than 55 percent averages about $600
Per capita income in countries with a literacy rate between 55 and 84 percent is $2,400
Per capita income in countries with a literacy rate between 85 and 95 percent is $3,700
Per capita income in countries with a literacy rate above 96 percent is $12,600