China Youth Literacy Rate
Literacy rate among youth ages 15-24 SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS
China's youth literacy rate was 99.76% in 2020, ranked 5th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2019. Data from World Bank, covering 1982–2020.
Overview
China's youth literacy rate stood at 99.76% in 2020, a rise of +0.12pp from 2010. China ranked 5th globally.
China’s youth literacy rate has risen steadily from 88.77 % in 1982 to a peak of 99.76 % in 2020, placing the country fifth globally according to the World Bank. The 11‑percentage‑point increase over four decades reflects expansive compulsory education reforms, massive school‑building programmes and targeted adult‑literacy initiatives that have broadened access for secondary‑school‑aged cohorts. By 2020 the rate matches that of Georgia (99.76 %) and narrowly trails Indonesia’s 99.78 % and Singapore’s 99.73 %, underscoring China’s position among the world’s most literate youth populations. The consistent upward trajectory, captured across a five‑year reporting window, suggests that remaining gaps are now marginal and concentrated in remote or migrant groups. Continued investment in digital learning infrastructure and policies that address socioeconomic disparities will be crucial to sustain near‑universal literacy and to prevent any reversal of the long‑term trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 99.76% | +0.12pp | #5 |
| 2010 | 99.64% | +0.78pp | #4 |
| 2000 | 98.86% | +4.58pp | #12 |
| 1990 | 94.28% | +5.51pp | #10 |
| 1982 | 88.77% | – | #5 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2013. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth literacy rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
China's youth literacy rate was 99.76% in 2020. Ranked 5th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
China's youth literacy rate peaked at 99.76% in 2020.
The lowest youth literacy rate in China was 88.77% in 1982.
China ranks 5th globally in youth literacy rate as of 2020.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The youth literacy rate of China in 2020 was 99.76%. This ranks 5th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_china_youth-literacy-rate,
title = {China Youth Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/china/youth-literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}