Education determines the social, scientific, moral and technological growth of a country. According to World Bank estimates, the global post-secondary age literacy rate was only 12% in 1820. This statistic means that only one in ten people in her life was educated compared to the world population at the time. World literacy rates have increased over time, but in 1900 they barely exceeded 20%. However, in the years since the 1950s, global literacy rates have improved significantly. The literacy rate for men aged 15 and over rose to 81.9% in 1990 and continued to rise to 86.6% in 2000. The global literacy rate in 2022 is 87.01%. These statistics mean that 9 in 10 people around the world can read and write.
But global literacy is not evenly distributed around the world. Some of the world’s most educated countries have literacy rates of 99-100%, while other regions are still catching up. Literacy rates are high throughout Europe, in former British Commonwealth countries, and even in Uruguay and Argentina. However, literacy rates are low in developing countries.
Let’s look at the five countries with the highest literacy rates in the world.
5. South Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
- 2018 total adult literacy rate (people 15 years and older): 100D
- 2022 population: 26.069 million people
The adult male, adult female, and youth literacy rates in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, also referred to as North Korea, are 100%. The most recent data for the nation may be found in 2018.
4. Uzbekistan
- Total adult literacy rate (15 years and older) in 2022: 100D
- Population in 2022: 35.64 million 8 people
Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia with a population of 35.65 million in 2022. Among adults 15 years and older, it is 100%, ranking him fourth on the list.
3. Poland
- Total adult literacy rate (people aged 15 and over) in 2021: 100D
- Population in 2022: 36.82 million
The Republic of Poland is a country in Central Europe bordering the Baltic Sea to the north. The latest statistics on literacy rates in Poland are from 2021. The literacy rate among adult men, adult women, and youth is 100%.
2. Ukraine
- Total adult literacy rate (15 years and above) in 2021: 100D
- Population in 2022: 38 million people
Ukraine is a European country with a literacy rate of 100% for males and adult females, and 100% for adolescents. Total is 100% literacy level. The latest data available for this country is from 2021. The population of Ukraine in 2022 is 38 million. However, the recent conflict between Ukraine and Russia could lead to changes.
1. Russian Federation
- Total adult literacy rate (people aged 15 and over) in 2021: 100D
- Population in 2022: 144.23 million people
Russian Federation in 2022, according to People’s World Bank estimates of the Russian Federation has a population of 144.2 million. As of 2021, the country’s literacy rate among adult men, adult women, and youth is 100%. It ranks number 1 in the list of 20 countries with the highest literacy rates in the world.