Lowest Global Literacy in 2026
Literacy — the ability to read and write — is one of the most crucial human capabilities. It impacts employment, economic growth, health outcomes, political participation, and social development. In 2026, despite remarkable progress in many parts of the world, literacy remains unevenly distributed across countries. Some nations boast nearly universal literacy, while others struggle due to poverty, conflict, cultural barriers, and inadequate education systems.
Understanding where literacy rates are lowest is essential for policymakers, global development organizations, educators, and activists who are working to close the education gap. This article explores the 50 countries with the lowest literacy rates in 2026, based on the most recent aggregated data available. We also explain key factors behind these rates and what they mean for the future of education worldwide.
What is Literacy Rate?
Before we dive into the list, it’s important to define what we mean by “literacy rate.”
Literacy rate typically refers to the percentage of a country’s population aged 15 and above who can read and write a simple statement in any language with understanding. UNESCO, World Bank, and other institutions collect and update these figures periodically. The numbers below reflect the most recent estimates available for 2026.
The 50 Countries With the Lowest Literacy Rates in 2026
Here is a ranking of countries with the lowest literacy rates in the world in 2026, ordered from lowest to highest literacy percentage:
| Rank | Country | Literacy Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chad | 26.76% |
| 2 | Mali | 30.76% |
| 3 | South Sudan | 34.52% |
| 4 | Botswana | 36.75% |
| 5 | Afghanistan | 37.27% |
| 6 | Niger | 37.27% |
| 7 | Central African Republic | 37.94% |
| 8 | Somalia | 39.91% |
| 9 | Guinea | 39.90% |
| 10 | Sierra Leone | 47.84% |
| 11 | Benin | 48.44% |
| 12 | Burkina Faso | 48.56% |
| 13 | Liberia | 48.87% |
| 14 | Ethiopia | 51.77% |
| 15 | Guinea-Bissau | 52.97% |
| 16 | Yemen | 54.10% |
| 17 | Senegal | 56.10% |
| 18 | Pakistan | 58.08% |
| 19 | Gambia | 58.87% |
| 20 | Sudan | 58.87% |
| 21 | Papua New Guinea | 61.60% |
| 22 | Haiti | 62.10% |
| 23 | Comoros | 63.14% |
| 24 | Nigeria | 66.38% |
| 25 | Mozambique | 66.41% |
| 26 | Togo | 67.02% |
| 27 | Mauritania | 68.59% |
| 28 | Malawi | 68.62% |
| 29 | Djibouti | 67.90% |
| 30 | East Timor | 69.75% |
| 31 | Bhutan | 71.15% |
| 32 | Nepal | 71.15% |
| 33 | Angola | 72.28% |
| 34 | Egypt | 73.35% |
| 35 | India | 74.37% |
| 36 | Burundi | 74.39% |
| 37 | Bangladesh | 74.91% |
| 38 | Rwanda | 76.71% |
| 39 | Morocco | 76.97% |
| 40 | Eritrea | 76.63% |
| 41 | Solomon Islands | 76.97% |
| 42 | Madagascar | 77.75% |
| 43 | Cameroon | 77.23% |
| 44 | Uganda | 78.43% |
| 45 | Gibraltar | 78.60% |
| 46 | DR Congo | 80.38% |
| 47 | Ghana | 80.38% |
| 48 | Republic of Congo | 81.02% |
| 49 | Lesotho | 81.42% |
| 50 | Algeria | 81.41% |
Regional Patterns in Low Literacy Rates
The countries with the lowest literacy rates are not randomly distributed; they follow clear geographic and socioeconomic patterns:
1. Sub-Saharan Africa Dominates the List
The majority of countries with the lowest literacy levels are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Countries like Chad, Mali, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, and Somalia consistently appear near the bottom of global literacy rankings. These nations face high poverty levels, frequent conflict, weak schooling systems, and limited government education investment.
2. Conflict and Instability Correlate with Low Literacy
Countries experiencing prolonged conflict — such as South Sudan, Yemen, and Afghanistan — struggle to maintain functioning school systems. War often disrupts schooling, displaces families, and prioritizes survival over education.
3. South and Central Asia
South Asia (including Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh) features heavily on the list. Economic inequality, rapid population growth, and gender disparities in education contribute to lower literacy in certain areas, despite some recent improvements.
4. Small Island and Lower-Income States
Several small island nations and lower-income countries, such as Comoros and Solomon Islands, also feature due to limited educational infrastructure and teacher shortages.
Why Literacy Rates Remain Low in These Countries
a) Poverty and Limited Resources
Many low-literacy countries suffer from chronic poverty. Schools may lack buildings, books, and qualified teachers. When basic needs such as food and shelter are unmet, learning literacy becomes a lower priority for families struggling to survive.
b) Gender Inequality
In numerous low-literacy countries, girls are less likely than boys to attend school due to cultural norms, early marriage practices, or household responsibilities. This creates large gender gaps in literacy that depress overall national rates.
c) Conflict and Displacement
In war zones, schools are destroyed, teachers flee, and children become refugees or internally displaced. South Sudan and Afghanistan illustrate how prolonged instability erodes educational progress.
d) Rural Isolation
Many communities with low literacy are located in rural or remote areas. These regions have fewer schools, longer travel distances for students, and limited access to educational materials and digital learning.
e) Insufficient Government Investment
Investment in public education systems is a major driver of literacy improvement. Where governments cannot allocate enough funding for free, compulsory primary and secondary education, literacy rates stagnate.
Case Studies: Understanding Specific Countries
1. Chad — The Lowest Literacy Rate in the World
Chad consistently ranks as one of the worst countries for literacy, with only about 26–27% of adults able to read and write. This stems from decades of civil conflict, chronic poverty, and severe educational underinvestment. Girls in particular face enormous barriers to schooling.
2. Mali and Niger — Education Under Pressure
Mali and Niger, both in the Sahel region of West Africa, have literacy rates around 30–31%. Limited schooling options in vast rural areas, combined with economic hardship and periodic insurgencies, limit educational attainment.
3. South Sudan — The Impact of Conflict
South Sudan’s literacy has been crippled by years of civil war. Many schools have closed or been repurposed for other uses, and many children have missed years of formal education, undermining literacy outcomes.
4. Pakistan and India — Complex Development Challenges
In South Asia, Pakistan and India show relatively higher literacy than some African countries but still lag behind global averages. Issues such as population size, economic inequality, teacher shortages, and mixed quality of schooling systems contribute to this situation.
Global Impact of Low Literacy Rates
Low literacy affects millions of people and has ripple effects at national and global levels:
1. Economic Growth
Countries with low literacy often struggle with workforce productivity, limiting economic growth and innovation. Literacy is closely linked to the skills needed in today’s labor markets.
2. Health and Well-Being
Literate adults are more likely to understand health information, access medical services, and practice preventive care. Literacy can directly improve public health outcomes.
3. Gender Equality
Education empowers girls and women, reducing early marriage and increasing participation in economic and civic life. Improving literacy is a critical step toward gender equality.
4. Political Stability
Literacy enables informed civic participation, allowing citizens to engage meaningfully in democratic processes, community decision-making, and rights advocacy.
Progress and Hope: Signs of Improvement
Although the numbers above may seem discouraging, there have been notable improvements in recent decades:
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Youth literacy rates (ages 15–24) are often higher than adult literacy, reflecting increased access to schooling for younger generations.
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Some countries with historically low literacy are investing in education infrastructure and teacher training to reverse trends.
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International organizations and NGOs are actively supporting literacy campaigns and building community learning centers.
In 2026, the global literacy landscape still shows stark contrasts. While many high-income countries have achieved nearly universal literacy, a significant number of nations — particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia — continue to struggle. The following factors contribute to these outcomes: poverty, conflict, gender disparities, rural isolation, and limited educational investment.
Understanding the 50 countries with the lowest literacy rates highlights where urgent action is needed. Improving literacy is not just an educational goal — it’s a catalyst for economic growth, health improvements, gender equality, and more equitable opportunities for all.
If the world can strengthen educational systems, expand access for girls and boys alike, and support learners in remote and underserved regions, the future holds the promise of rising literacy and human development for even the most challenged nations.