In a world driven by technologies, we are still seeing a higher number of illiterates in the African countries; Literacy is a crucial skill and a vital measure of a population’s education. Despite large improvements in the expansion of basic education and the continuous reduction of educational inequalities, there are substantial challenges ahead.

The poorest countries in the world, where basic education is most likely to be a binding constraint for development, still have vast segments of the population who are illiterate.

The Most 10 Illiterate Countries

What Is an illiterate?

Functional illiteracy is contrasted with illiteracy in the strict sense, meaning the inability to read or write simple sentences in any language. Foreigners who cannot read and write in the native language may also be considered functionally illiterate.

The Most Illiterate Countries In The World

10. Benin

Benin, a French-speaking West African nation In Abomey, Dahomey’s former capital, the Historical Museum occupies two royal palaces with bas-reliefs recounting the kingdom’s past and a throne mounted on human skulls.

Population: 10.58 million
Literacy Rate: 42.4 %

9. Guinea

Guinea is a country in West Africa, bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. It’s known for the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve in the southeast. The reserve protects a forested mountain range rich in native plants and animals, including chimpanzees and the viviparous toad.

Population:  12.09 million
Literacy Rate: 41.0 %

8. Ethiopia

In the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is a rugged, landlocked country split by the Great Rift Valley. With archaeological finds dating back more than 3 million years, it’s a place of ancient culture. Among its important sites is Lalibela.

Population: 102.4 million
Literacy Rate: 39.0 %

7. Somalia

Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is a sovereign state with its territory located in the Horn of Africa.

Population: 14.32 million
Literacy Rate: 37.8 %

6. Chad

Officially the Republic of Chad, Chad is a landlocked country in Central Africa. Libya borders it to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west.

Population: 14.45 million
Literacy Rate: 35.4 %

5. Mali

Mali, officially the Republic of Mali, is a landlocked country in West Africa, a region geologically identified with the West African Craton. Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa, with just over 1,240,000 square kilometres.

Population: 17.99 million
Literacy Rate:  33.4 %

4. Niger

Niger or the Niger, officially the Republic of the Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa named after the Niger River.

Population:  20.67 million
Literacy Rate:  28.7 %

3. Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It covers an area of around 274,200 square kilometres and is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, and Benin to the southeast.

Population: 18.65 million
Literacy Rate: 28.7 %

2. Afghanistan

Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located within South Asia.

Population: 34.66 million
Literacy Rate: 34.66 million

1. South Sudan

South Sudan, officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa. The country gained its independence from the Republic of Sudan in 2011, making it the newest country with widespread recognition.

Population: 12.23 million
Literacy Rate: 27.0 %

How to improve Illiterate?

There are many ways to improve illiteracy. One way is to provide literacy instruction in schools. Another way is to provide financial assistance to improve the literacy of low-income families. Some programs offer support and training to community members who want to help improve the literacy of their friends, family, and neighbours.