10 Least Literate Countries

Burkina Faso: 21.8 percent literacy rate

Burkina Faso which is located in West Africa, the primary language of this place is French because it is the former French colony, but a high percentage of people here can’t read or write the language because large percentage of the population doesn’t attend school. In this country only 21.8 percentages of people are literate.

South Sudan: 27 percent literacy rate

South Sudan is the youngest country in the world after getting freedom from Sudan in 2011. The country has been at war and that is the main reason for this new formed country to have poor infrastructure. The country is suffering from insufficient education system and around 73% people are illiterate.

Afghanistan: 28.1 percent literacy rate

Afghanistan is one country that earned third position because here girls and women are not allowed to attend school and that’s the reason; only 28.1 percent of citizens can read and write. The society here is traditional and very backward towards women and young girls. Educational institutions have seen many violent attacks.

Niger: 28. 7 percent literacy rate

In Niger, the literacy rate is in very poor state because only 28.7% of the whole population can read and write. This is one of the poorest countries and it is the main reason for not having strong educational infrastructure. In this country, 50% of the population is under 15 years of age.

Mali: 33.4 percent literacy rate

As far as literacy rate is concerned the Mali is not in very good position, only 33.4 percent of people in Mali are literate. There are very few teachers available who are literate enough to teach others and that is the main cause of a poor education system in the Mali.

Chad: 34.5 percent literacy rate

Chad is a West African country and it is a neighbor of Niger. Like Niger the situation here is also terrible, only 34.5 percent of the population can read and write. The Government here only spends 2% of GDP on education which is a matter of concern and it is no surprise that here literacy rate is low.

Somalia: 37.8 percent literacy rate

Somalia, country that spends years in civil war and it is the main reason that only 37.8% of Somalis citizens are literate. According to a report only 710, 860 kids attend school out of the 1.7 million primary school age children. The war crises have destroyed the education system in the country.

Ethiopia: 39 percent literacy rate

The citizens of Ethiopia are not getting education because of general lack of accessibility to education. Only 39% of Ethiopians can read and write, which is a major cause of concern. The other main problem in education system is the inequality of education quality in public and private school.

Guinea: 41 percent literacy rate

Other West African country Guinea which is located on the Atlantic coast that has a low literacy rate, only 41% percent of citizen is literate. The people here live below the poverty line and many people living on 1 dollar a day. Education is not easy to get here because most parents can’t afford school fee and other related fees.

Benin: 42.4 percent literacy rate

Benin is a West African country and here only 42.4% of the population is literate. The country devastated by war and political instability that made education system weak.