Iran, Islamic Republic of Youth Literacy Rate
Literacy rate among youth ages 15-24 SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS
Iran, Islamic Republic of's youth literacy rate was 98.88% in 2025, ranked 31st globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1976–2025.
Overview
Iran, Islamic Republic of's youth literacy rate stood at 98.88% in 2025, a rise of +0.14pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 98.88% by 2025. Iran, Islamic Republic of ranked 31st globally.
Iran’s youth literacy rate has risen dramatically from 56.45 % in 1976, the all‑time trough, to 98.88 % in 2025, the all‑time peak and the 31st‑highest figure worldwide. This 42.43‑percentage‑point increase over 23 years reflects sustained expansion of primary and secondary schooling, extensive adult‑education programmes, and the integration of modern curricula. The latest rate of 98.88 % places Iran marginally below Colombia’s 98.93 % and Uruguay’s 99.01 % while edging ahead of Malaysia’s 98.87 % and Paraguay’s 98.75 %, underscoring its competitive position among peers with similar development pathways. The steep climb coincided with the post‑revolutionary emphasis on universal education and later reforms that targeted rural enrolment gaps, suggesting that policy continuity has been a key driver. Continued investment in digital learning infrastructure and teacher training could sustain the upward trajectory, while any reversal in funding or political stability might stall progress and allow neighboring countries to overtake Iran in youth literacy rankings.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 98.95% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 98.88% | - | - |
| 2025 | 98.88% | +0.14pp | #31 |
| 2023 | 98.74% | +0.09pp | #20 |
| 2022 | 98.65% | +0.06pp | #27 |
| 2021 | 98.59% | +0.14pp | #24 |
| 2020 | 98.45% | −0.02pp | #28 |
| 2019 | 98.47% | +0.26pp | #29 |
| 2018 | 98.21% | +0.04pp | #25 |
| 2017 | 98.17% | +0.07pp | #26 |
| 2016 | 98.10% | +0.20pp | #26 |
| 2015 | 97.90% | −0.04pp | #28 |
| 2014 | 97.94% | +0.16pp | #23 |
| 2013 | 97.78% | −0.23pp | #23 |
| 2012 | 98.01% | +1.32pp | #25 |
| 2011 | 96.69% | −1.11pp | #41 |
| 2010 | 97.80% | +0.17pp | #26 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iran, Islamic Republic of matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2019. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw youth literacy rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iran, Islamic Republic of's youth literacy rate was 98.88% in 2025. Ranked 31st globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's youth literacy rate peaked at 98.88% in 2025.
The lowest youth literacy rate in Iran, Islamic Republic of was 56.45% in 1976.
Iran, Islamic Republic of ranks 31st globally in youth literacy rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's youth literacy rate is projected to reach 98.88% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth literacy rate of Iran, Islamic Republic of in 2025 was 98.88%. This ranks 31st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iran-islamic-republic-of_youth-literacy-rate,
title = {Iran, Islamic Republic of Youth Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iran-islamic-republic-of/youth-literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}