Cuba Literacy Rate
Adult literacy rate SE.ADT.LITR.ZS
Cuba's literacy rate was 97.65% in 2019, ranked 13th globally. This represents a 2.0% decrease from 2018. Data from World Bank, covering 1981–2019.
Overview
Cuba's literacy rate stood at 97.65% in 2019, a decline of +2.02pp from 2012. Cuba ranked 13th globally.
Cuba's literacy rate has remained remarkably stable, fluctuating within a narrow range over the past four decades. As of 2019, the country boasted a literacy rate of 97.65%, ranking 13th globally. This level of literacy is a testament to the island nation's sustained investment in education, particularly in the aftermath of the socialist revolution. At its peak in 2002, Cuba's literacy rate reached an impressive 99.80%, underscoring the country's commitment to education as a cornerstone of its development strategy. A comparison with peer countries reveals that Cuba's literacy rate is on par with that of the United Arab Emirates, where the rate stood at 97.78% in 2019. While Cuba's literacy rate has shown remarkable resilience, a decline in government investment in education or a shift towards more market-oriented economic policies could potentially alter the trajectory of this indicator in the years to come.
Data & projection
| Year | Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 97.65% | −2.02pp | #13 |
| 2012 | 99.67% | −0.13pp | #2 |
| 2002 | 99.80% | +1.95pp | #1 |
| 1981 | 97.85% | – | #1 |
Analysis
Cuba's literacy rate was 97.65% in 2019, a decline of −2.02pp from 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cuba's literacy rate was 97.65% in 2019. Ranked 13th globally. This represents a 2.0% decrease from the previous year.
Cuba's literacy rate peaked at 99.80% in 2002.
The lowest literacy rate in Cuba was 97.65% in 2019.
Cuba ranks 13th globally in literacy rate as of 2019.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.LITR.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The literacy rate of Cuba in 2019 was 97.65%. This ranks 13th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_cuba_literacy-rate,
title = {Cuba Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/cuba/literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}