Literate and illiterate world population in Mali
Mali: Literate and illiterate world population was 64.4% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Literate and illiterate world population in Mali, 1976–2024
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 Mali stood at 64.4%. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is down 3.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literate and illiterate world population in Mali peaked at 90.6% in 1976 and was at its lowest, 64.4%, in 2024.
That places Mali 3rd out of 128 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
Literate and illiterate world population in Mali, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 90.6% | — |
| 1998 | 81.0% | -10.6% |
| 2003 | 76.0% | -6.1% |
| 2006 | 73.8% | -2.9% |
| 2010 | 68.9% | -6.7% |
| 2011 | 69.4% | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 66.9% | -3.5% |
| 2018 | 64.5% | -3.6% |
| 2024 | 64.4% | -0.2% |
Mali compared with similar countries
- Mali's 64.4% is above the median for low income countries, which is 38.9%, 1.7× the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Mali's 64.4% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 29.1%, 2.2× the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 90.6% | 90.6% | 90.6% | 1 |
| 1990s | 81.0% | 81.0% | 81.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 74.9% | 73.8% | 76.0% | 2 |
| 2010s | 67.4% | 64.5% | 69.4% | 4 |
| 2020s | 64.4% | 64.4% | 64.4% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Mali
- 1 Chad 69.4% compare
- 2 Niger 64.4% compare
- 4 Afghanistan 62.7% compare
- 5 Guinea 60.4% compare
- 6 Burkina Faso 58.4% compare
More population data for Mali
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.5014 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.3916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.717 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.3916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 5.87 million people (2100)
- Population density 65.03 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.4% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4401 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.95 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literate and illiterate world population in Mali?
- Literate and illiterate world population in Mali was 64.4% 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 Mali?
- The highest recorded value was 90.6% in 1976.
- What is the lowest literate and illiterate world population recorded in Mali?
- The lowest recorded value was 64.4% in 2024.
- How does Mali rank for literate and illiterate world population?
- Mali ranks 3rd out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literate and illiterate world population rising or falling in Mali?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Mali 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.