Literacy rate, adult female in Nigeria
Nigeria: Literacy rate, adult female was 62.4% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Literacy rate, adult female in Nigeria, 1991–2024
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of females ages 15 and above.
Analysis
The most recent figure for literacy rate, adult female in Nigeria is 62.4%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 17.2% on the previous year and up 27.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literacy rate, adult female in Nigeria peaked at 64.2% in 2006 and was at its lowest, 43.3%, in 2003.
Nigeria ranks 73rd of 89 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Literacy rate, adult female in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | % of females ages 15 and above | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 43.7% | — |
| 2003 | 43.3% | -0.9% |
| 2006 | 64.2% | +48.3% |
| 2016 | 49.1% | -23.6% |
| 2021 | 53.2% | +8.5% |
| 2024 | 62.4% | +17.2% |
Nigeria compared with similar countries
- Nigeria's 62.4% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 71.4%, 87% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
- Nigeria's 62.4% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 63.2%, 99% of the median. (28 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 43.7% | 43.7% | 43.7% | 1 |
| 2000s | 53.8% | 43.3% | 64.2% | 2 |
| 2010s | 49.1% | 49.1% | 49.1% | 1 |
| 2020s | 57.8% | 53.2% | 62.4% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More gender data for Nigeria
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 99,803 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.6887 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 162,578 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 162,578 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 2.75 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 3.55 million (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 3.66 million (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 3.45 million (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 3.54 million (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 3.38 million (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is literacy rate, adult female in Nigeria?
- Literacy rate, adult female in Nigeria was 62.4% in 2024, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest literacy rate, adult female recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 64.2% in 2006.
- What is the lowest literacy rate, adult female recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 43.3% in 2003.
- How does Nigeria rank for literacy rate, adult female?
- Nigeria ranks 73rd out of 89 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literacy rate, adult female rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Literacy rate, adult female (% of females ages 15 and above). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
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.