Congo, Democratic Republic of Literacy Rate
Adult literacy rate SE.ADT.LITR.ZS
Congo, Democratic Republic of's literacy rate was 65.69% in 2020, ranked 39th globally. This represents a 10.7% decrease from 2019. Data from World Bank, covering 2001–2020.
Overview
Congo, Democratic Republic of's literacy rate stood at 65.69% in 2020, a decline of +7.86pp from 2018. Congo, Democratic Republic of ranked 39th globally.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced fluctuations in literacy rates over the past two decades. The country's literacy rate peaked at 77.04% in 2016, reflecting improvements in education infrastructure and access to schooling. However, this trend reversed by 2020, with the literacy rate dropping to 65.69%, ranking the country 39th globally. A comparison with peer countries reveals that the DRC's literacy rate is lower than Malawi's 70.15% and Burundi's 71.41%, but higher than Mozambique's 59.78% and Mauritania's 59.53%. The decline in literacy rates from 2016 to 2020 suggests a reversal of progress in education. Factors such as conflict, poverty, and limited access to education may have contributed to this decline. To alter the trajectory of the DRC's literacy rates, the government would need to invest in education infrastructure, improve access to schooling, and implement policies to address the root causes of poverty and conflict.
Data & projection
| Year | Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 65.69% | −7.86pp | #39 |
| 2018 | 73.55% | −3.49pp | #37 |
| 2016 | 77.04% | +2.02pp | #34 |
| 2012 | 75.02% | +7.85pp | #32 |
| 2001 | 67.17% | – | #24 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Congo, Democratic Republic of matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2018. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw literacy rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Congo, Democratic Republic of's literacy rate was 65.69% in 2020. Ranked 39th globally. This represents a 10.7% decrease from the previous year.
Congo, Democratic Republic of's literacy rate peaked at 77.04% in 2016.
The lowest literacy rate in Congo, Democratic Republic of was 65.69% in 2020.
Congo, Democratic Republic of ranks 39th globally in literacy rate as of 2020.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.LITR.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The literacy rate of Congo, Democratic Republic of in 2020 was 65.69%. This ranks 39th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_congo-democratic-republic-of_literacy-rate,
title = {Congo, Democratic Republic of Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/congo-democratic-republic-of/literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}