Top 10 African countries with the highest literacy rate
- Deciding which countries have the highest or lowest literacy rates in the world is complex because of the many variables involved.
- However, the site World Population Review recently put together a list of the most and least literate countries in the world.
- According to the ranking, most of the countries with the lowest literacy are located in South Asia, West Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa — regions which also include most of the poorest countries in the world.
According to UNESCO, The literacy rate is defined by the percentage of the population of a given age group that can read and write. The adult literacy rate corresponds to ages 15 and above, the youth literacy rate to ages 15 to 24, and the elderly to ages 65 and above.
Literacy is important for both educational and employment opportunities. People with literacy skills can increase their household incomes, which can raise the standard of living in their community. It is an essential component of individual and social growth, as well as a key factor in the development of an economy.
The results of direct country-to-country comparisons of literacy are often imprecise. The data may be unreliable due to two factors: Many countries do not report their literacy statistics every year and many countries have mismatched definitions of what constitutes literacy.
The list found Finland as the most literate country in the world with a 100% literacy rate, while Niger, a west African country is the least literate country in the world with a 19.10% rate.
Below are the top 10 African countries with the highest literacy rates.
African countries with the highest literacy rate
1. Seychelles: This island nation located in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa is currently the most literate country in Africa with a 95.32% ranking. The country is said to be the only one to have met all six of UNESCO’s Education for All goals. Education in this country is also free and compulsory.
2. Equatorial Guinea: Following Seychelles is this Central African country. With a population of about 1,505,361, Equatorial Guinea is the second most literate country in Africa with a 95.20% ranking.
3. South Africa: South Africa has a population of 60,620,895 and a literacy ranking of 94.60%, making it the third most literate country in Africa. The country’s educational system is majorly divided into 3 strata, primary education, secondary education, and tertiary education.
4. Sao Tome and Principe: Another country in Central Africa, this island nation with a population of about 228,185 has a literacy ranking of 91.75%, making it the 4th most literate country in Africa.
5. Libya: Libya, officially the State of Libya, is a country located in North Africa. It is the 5th most educated country in Africa. With a population of 6,812,341, the literacy ranking of Libya is 91.39%. The government of the country provides free primary education to its inhabitants and makes it a mandatory requirement.
6. Namibia: Namibia is a Country in Southern Africa, southwest Africa precisely. It is the 6th most literate country in Africa with a ranking of 90.82%. Education in Namibia is compulsory for 10 years between the ages of 6 and 16.
7. Mauritius: One will not be surprised to find Mauritius on the list of most literate countries in Africa. Mauritius’ education system, largely modeled on Britain’s, was developed during its time as a British colony. It has a global ranking of 90.62% in literacy.
8. Cape Verde: Since obtaining its independence in 1975, the literacy rate of Cape Verde has increased significantly. As of 1975, only 40 percent of the people were literate, today, the country has a ranking of 88.47% literacy rate.
9. Botswana: Another country in Southern Africa, Botswana is landlocked by two of the other countries on this list, Namibia and South Africa. This country has a literacy ranking of 88.22% and is currently the 8th most literate country in Africa.
10. Eswatini: The last country on this list is Eswatini, it is also located in Southern Africa. In Eswatini, education begins at pre-school and continues through primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. At the tertiary level, there are universities and colleges. This country has a literacy ranking of 87.47%.
The first version of this story was written on September 2022
