Ethiopia: Literacy rate

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 Ethiopia

Literacy rate

 Latest value 60.46
 Year 2022
 Measure percent
 Data availability 1994 - 2022
 Average 46.02
 Min - Max 27.01 - 60.46
 Source UNESCO
 Available for Data download
The latest value from 2022 is 60.46 percent, an increase from 54.89 percent in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 84.77 percent, based on data from 44 countries. Historically, the average for Ethiopia from 1994 to 2022 is 46.02 percent. The minimum value, 27.01 percent, was reached in 1994 while the maximum of 60.46 percent was recorded in 2022. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
Select indicator
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
From   To 


 Recent values Ethiopia: Literacy rate
 2022 60.46
 2021 54.89
 2019 55.05
 2016 47.49
 2013 48.35
 2007 39.00
 2004 35.90
 1994 27.01




Definition: Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.

Other resources:

Download data from our database

All indicators for Ethiopia

All indicators on the website

Article: Are trade deficits bad for the economy?

Article: Sources of economic growth

Article: Currency values and investment returns

All articles



 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Education spending, percent of GDP 2.30 2024 percent
 Education spending, percent of government spending 16.70 2024 percent
 Literacy rate 60.46 2022 percent
 Female literacy rate, ages 15-24 80.92 2022 percent
 Male literacy rate, ages 15-24 88.42 2022 percent
 Youth literacy rate, ages 15-24 84.69 2022 percent
 Primary school completion rate 54.44 2024 percent
 School starting age, primary school 7 2025 years
 Female to male ratio, primary school pupils 0.91 2021 percent
 Female to male ratio, secondary school students 0.96 2015 percent
 Female to male ratio, students at tertiary level education 0.43 2014 percent
 Primary school enrollment 84.42 2024 percent
 Secondary school enrollment 33.91 2015 percent
 Tertiary school enrollment 5.92 2014 percent
 Trained teachers in primary education 95.00 2014 percent
This site uses cookies.
Learn more here


OK