Literate Women: A Global Progress Report
According to the World Bank’s data from 2019, the top 20
countries with the highest percentage of literate women are a testament to the
progress made towards achieving gender equality in education. At the top of the
list is Norway, with a staggering 99.3% of literate women, followed closely by
Switzerland, Denmark, and Iceland. These countries have made significant
strides in ensuring that women have equal access to education and literacy
skills, which has had a positive impact on their economic and social
development.
Other countries that feature prominently on the list include
several Nordic nations, as well as countries such as Australia, Canada, and the
Netherlands. These countries have implemented policies and programs aimed at
promoting gender equality and reducing the gender gap in education. The data
also highlights the importance of education in empowering women and girls, as
countries with higher levels of literacy among women tend to have lower rates
of poverty and higher levels of economic development. The World Bank’s data
serves as a reminder of the critical role that education plays in achieving
gender equality and promoting sustainable development.
Percentage of Literate Women:
|
No. |
Country |
Percentage |
Aged |
|
1. |
Iceland: |
99.4% |
15-24 |
|
2. |
Sweden |
98.5% |
15-24 |
|
3. |
Norway |
|
|
|
4. |
Finland |
98.4% |
15-24 |
|
5. |
Denmark |
98.2% |
15-24 |
|
6. |
Netherlands |
98.1% |
15-24 |
|
7. |
Switzerland |
98.1% |
15-24 |
|
8. |
Canada |
97.9% |
15-24 |
|
9. |
Australia |
97.8% |
15-24 |
|
10. |
Germany |
97.7% |
15-24 |
|
11. |
United |
97.6% |
15-24 |
|
12. |
New |
97.5% |
15-24 |
|
13. |
Belgium |
97.4% |
15-24 |
|
14. |
France |
97.3% |
15-24 |
|
15. |
Japan |
97.2% |
15-24 |
|
16. |
United |
97.1% |
15-24 |
|
17. |
South |
97.0% |
15-24 |
|
18. |
Spain |
96.9% |
15-24 |
|
19. |
Portugal |
96.8% |
15-24 |
|
20. |
Slovenia |
96.7% |
15-24 |
On the other hand, the countries with the lowest percentage
of literate women (based on data from the World Bank, 2019) are:
Bottom 20 Countries with
Lowest Percentage of Literate Women:
|
No. |
Country |
Percentage |
Age group |
|
1. |
Afghanistan |
56.5% |
15-24 |
|
2. |
Mali |
59.4% |
15-24 |
|
3 |
Niger |
61.3% |
15-24 |
|
4. |
Somalia |
62.4% |
15-24 |
|
5. |
South |
63.4% |
15-24 |
|
6. |
Central |
64.2% |
15-24 |
|
7. |
Chad |
65.2% |
15-24 |
|
8. |
Congo |
65.4% |
15-24 |
|
9. |
Liberia |
66.1% |
15-24 |
|
10. |
Burundi |
66.3% |
15-24 |
The literacy rates of women around the world vary
significantly, with some countries making significant progress towards
achieving gender equality in education, while others continue to struggle.
Despite the challenges, there is a strong correlation between literacy rates
and economic development, poverty reduction, and social empowerment. As we
continue to strive for a more equitable and just world, it is essential to
prioritize education and literacy initiatives that specifically target women
and girls. By doing so, we can help break the cycle of poverty and inequality,
and create a brighter future for all.
rates, as they may have changed since the data was collected in 2019.
It’s worth noting that literacy rates vary significantly
within countries and regions, and there may be significant disparities between
urban and rural areas, as well as between different socioeconomic groups.
Reference:
- World Bank (2019): “Literacy Rate, Adult Total
- World Bank (2019): “Literacy Rate, Youth Male
- World Bank (2019): “Literacy Rate, Youth Female
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