Literate and illiterate world population in Nigeria
Nigeria: Literate and illiterate world population was 29.6% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in Nigeria, 1950–2024
Source: UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, literate and illiterate world population in Nigeria stood at 29.6%. That is the lowest value across all 7 years on record.
The figure is down 19.7% on the previous year and down 29.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Nigeria peaked at 87.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 29.6%, in 2024.
Nigeria ranks 25th of 128 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 87.5% | 87.5% | 87.5% | 1 |
| 1990s | 44.5% | 44.5% | 44.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 37.5% | 29.8% | 45.2% | 2 |
| 2010s | 41.8% | 41.8% | 41.8% | 1 |
| 2020s | 33.2% | 29.6% | 36.8% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More population data for Nigeria
- Population growth rate 2.1% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Nigeria?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Nigeria was 29.6% in 2024, according to UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 87.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 29.6% in 2024.
- How does Nigeria rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Nigeria ranks 25th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 29.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO (1957) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Literate and illiterate world population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of adults who cannot read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.