Benin Youth Literacy Rate
Literacy rate among youth ages 15-24 SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS
Benin's youth literacy rate was 71.79% in 2025, ranked 63rd globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1979–2025.
Overview
Benin's youth literacy rate stood at 71.79% in 2025, a rise of +0.54pp from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 71.79% by 2025. Benin ranked 63rd globally.
Benin’s youth literacy rate has risen dramatically from 29.79 % in 1979 to 71.79 % in 2025, marking the highest level recorded for the country and placing it 63rd worldwide. The improvement reflects sustained investment in primary education and expanded access to schooling, particularly in rural areas where enrolment gaps were once pronounced. Compared with regional peers, Benin’s 2025 figure is just below Mozambique’s 72.45 % and closely matches Senegal’s 71.84 %, while remaining ahead of Burkina Faso’s 66.00 % and Afghanistan’s 62.78 %. The eleven‑year coverage of data captures a period of steady progress, with no reversals to the low levels of the late 1970s. Continued policy focus on teacher training, curriculum relevance and gender‑inclusive programmes will be essential to push the rate beyond the current peak and narrow the remaining gap with the highest‑performing neighbours.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 71.79% | - | - |
| 2025 | 71.79% | +0.54pp | #63 |
| 2022 | 71.25% | +5.93pp | #54 |
| 2021 | 65.32% | −3.93pp | #45 |
| 2019 | 69.25% | +10.44pp | #56 |
| 2017 | 58.81% | −3.35pp | #49 |
| 2013 | 62.16% | +4.79pp | #39 |
| 2006 | 57.37% | +12.06pp | #34 |
| 2002 | 45.31% | −2.65pp | #24 |
| 2001 | 47.96% | +8.08pp | #32 |
| 1992 | 39.88% | +10.09pp | #9 |
| 1979 | 29.79% | – | #7 |
Analysis
Benin's youth literacy rate was 71.79% in 2025, a rise of +0.54pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 71.79% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Benin's youth literacy rate was 71.79% in 2025. Ranked 63rd globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from the previous year.
Benin's youth literacy rate peaked at 71.79% in 2025.
The lowest youth literacy rate in Benin was 29.79% in 1979.
Benin ranks 63rd globally in youth literacy rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Benin's youth literacy rate is projected to reach 71.79% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth literacy rate of Benin in 2025 was 71.79%. This ranks 63rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_benin_youth-literacy-rate,
title = {Benin Youth Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/benin/youth-literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}