According to UNESCO, within 5% margin of error, what percentage of the world's adults are illiterate?

It might be surprising to learn that more than a quarter of the world's adult population lacks basic reading and writing skills. Data from UNESCO, the United Nations' educational and cultural organization, places this figure at approximately 26%. This definition of illiteracy isn't about understanding complex literature; it refers to the inability to read and write a simple sentence about one's everyday life. The 5% margin of error reflects the immense difficulty of collecting precise, person-by-person data on a global scale, requiring reliance on national census figures and household surveys which have inherent uncertainties.

This issue is not spread evenly across the population. A staggering two-thirds of all adults who are illiterate are women, a disparity that highlights deep-rooted inequalities in access to education for girls. Geographically, the highest rates of illiteracy are concentrated in developing regions, particularly in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. This lack of literacy has profound, real-world consequences, acting as a major barrier to economic opportunity, personal autonomy, and access to critical health and civic information.

While the number remains high, global literacy rates have been improving steadily for decades. This progress is a direct result of focused efforts by governments and non-governmental organizations to expand access to primary and adult education. The data underscores that literacy is not just a personal skill but a cornerstone of social and economic development for communities and entire nations.