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.
Literate and illiterate world population in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 87.5% | — |
| 1991 | 44.5% | -49.1% |
| 2003 | 45.2% | +1.5% |
| 2006 | 29.8% | -34.1% |
| 2016 | 41.8% | +40.2% |
| 2021 | 36.8% | -11.8% |
| 2024 | 29.6% | -19.7% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 29.6% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 21.8%, 1.4× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 29.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 29.1%, 1.0× the median. (36 countries reporting)
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
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1509 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0306 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0306 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.0% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 32.05 million people (2100)
- Population density 523.46 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.0% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5063 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.22 Percent per annum (2030)
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.