Highest Literacy Rate In The World (2025 Update)

The global average literacy rate is 86.81%, but there’s a big gap between countries. Some nations, like Andorra, Finland, Greenland, and others, have reached 100% literacy thanks to strong education systems, government support, and significant investment in learning.

However, many countries are still struggling. Over a dozen nations have literacy rates below 50%, often due to challenges like political instability, poverty, and limited access to education. Countries like Chad, Mali, and South Sudan face some of the lowest literacy rates in the world, well below the global average.

This report explores the countries with the highest literacy rates and also takes a closer look at those with the lowest rates, including insights into literacy in the United States.

Highest Literacy Rate In The World (Key Highlights)

• The global average literacy rate is 86.81%.
• Some countries, like Andorra, Finland, and Norway, have a 100% literacy rate.
• Countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, and the US have a 99% literacy rate.
• The United States ranks 38th in global literacy.
• Chad has the lowest literacy rate at 26.76%.
• The countries with the highest literacy rates are mainly in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia.
• Countries with the lowest literacy rates are mostly in Africa and parts of Asia.

Which Country Has The Highest Literacy Rate In The World?

Several countries boast an impressive 100% literacy rate, meaning their entire population is literate. These include Andorra, Finland, Greenland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and North Korea. 

While achieving a perfect literacy rate is rare, these nations have successfully ensured that education is accessible to all. 

Additionally, several other countries come very close to this mark, such as Latvia (99.89%), Belarus (99.87%), Estonia (99.87%), and Lithuania (99.83%), reflecting strong educational policies and widespread access to learning resources.

Literacy Rate By Country

Countries like Australia, Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Japan, and the US all have 99% literacy rates.

This is mainly due to strong education systems, well-funded schools, and easy access to learning.

In Eastern Europe and former Soviet countries, like Russia (99.7%), Poland (99.8%), Kazakhstan (99.8%), and Belarus (99.87%), literacy rates are nearly 100%, due to a focus on education from the Soviet era.

Even small island nations like Monaco, New Zealand, Iceland, and Tonga have high literacy rates (99%+), showing that good education policies can lead to strong literacy, even with small populations.

Here is a table displaying the countries with the highest literacy rates worldwide:

What Country Has The Lowest Literacy Rate?

The countries with the lowest literacy rates, falling below the world average of 86.81%, are mainly found in Africa and parts of Asia, reflecting the challenges these regions face in providing accessible and quality education. 

Chad has the lowest rate at 26.76%, showing how war and poverty can block education. Mali follows with 30.76%, where political instability and economic hardship prevent many children from attending school. South Sudan has a literacy rate of 34.52%, with civil war damaging its education system.

Other countries with low literacy rates include the Central African Republic (37.94%), Somalia (39.91%), and Guinea (39.90%), all facing similar issues of conflict and poverty. Benin (48.44%) and Burkina Faso (48.56%) also struggle with poverty and lack of resources for education.

A surprising finding is Yemen, with a literacy rate of 54.10%, higher than many of its neighbors despite the ongoing conflict. Ethiopia (51.77%) and Guinea-Bissau (52.97%) also have slightly higher rates compared to other countries in the region, though they still face big challenges in improving education.

Overall, these countries share issues of war, poverty, and limited resources, but some, like Yemen, Ethiopia, and Guinea-Bissau, have made progress in improving literacy, even in tough circumstances.

Here is a table displaying the countries with the lowest literacy rate worldwide:

Where Does The US Rank For Literacy?

The United States ranks 38th in global literacy rates, a surprisingly low position for one of the world’s most developed nations. 

While most Americans have access to education, issues like unequal school funding, education gaps in low-income areas, and differences in state policies affect overall literacy levels. Many countries in Europe and East Asia rank higher, likely due to more consistent education systems and stronger government support. 

Though the U.S. still has a high literacy rate, this ranking shows that there’s room for improvement, especially in making education more accessible and effective for everyone.

Which State Has The Highest Literacy Rate?

New Hampshire has the highest literacy rate, with a literacy score of 278.9.

It is just ahead of Minnesota at 278.8. One of the more unexpected rankings is Alaska in third place (276.7)—despite its remote location and harsh climate, which could make education access more challenging, it still performs exceptionally well.

Another surprise is the District of Columbia (276.7), which ties for third place with Alaska and Vermont. While D.C. is often associated with educational disparities, this ranking suggests that certain programs and resources are making a significant impact.

A crucial key takeaway is that states with smaller populations and strong education policies tend to excel. States like Vermont (276.7), North Dakota (275.9), and Maine (273.1) reinforce this trend. In contrast, larger and more urbanized states like New York and California don’t appear in the top 20, possibly due to greater disparities in education quality across different communities.

Here is a table displaying the states with the highest literacy scores in the United States. 

States With The Lowest Literacy Rate

Louisiana and New Mexico have the lowest literacy scores at 251.5, followed closely by Mississippi (251.7). 

These states struggle with limited education funding, poverty, and resource shortages, making it harder for students to access quality education.

A surprising entry is Texas (48th, 253.6)—despite being one of the largest and most economically powerful states, it faces significant education disparities. Similarly, California (46th, 257.2) ranks lower than expected, showing that even states with top universities can struggle with literacy at a broader level. New York (42nd, 259.7) also stands out, suggesting that education quality varies greatly across different communities.

Many low-ranking states are in the South, including Alabama (258.9), Arkansas (258.7), and Georgia (260.4), where historical underfunding and fewer educational opportunities remain challenges.

While some rankings, like Mississippi and Louisiana, are expected, the presence of major states like Texas, California, and New York highlights that a strong economy doesn’t always mean a strong education system for everyone.

More Topics Like This:

• College Dropout Rates
• College Graduation Statistics

Conclusion: 9 Countries Achieve 100% Literacy Rates Globally

Countries like Andorra, Finland, and Greenland have achieved an impressive 100% literacy rate thanks to strong education systems and solid government support. 

On the flip side, Chad, with the lowest rate at 26.76%, struggles due to challenges like poverty and political instability. Many countries in Europe and North America, such as Canada and Germany, maintain high literacy rates (around 99%). 

The US ranks 38th, showing that while it does well, there’s still room for improvement. Ultimately, education is a challenge in regions facing conflict and poverty, but progress is being made in many places.

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