Mali Youth Literacy Rate
Literacy rate among youth ages 15-24 SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS
Mali's youth literacy rate was 53.35% in 2020, ranked 43rd globally. This represents a 6.4% increase from 2019. Data from World Bank, covering 1976–2020.
Overview
Mali's youth literacy rate stood at 53.35% in 2020, a rise of +3.22pp from 2018. Mali ranked 43rd globally.
Mali’s youth literacy rate has risen from 19.65 % in 1976, the lowest point recorded, to 53.35 % in 2020, the highest level observed and the figure that places the country 43rd in global rankings. This improvement, documented over eight data points, reflects gradual expansion of primary education and targeted literacy programmes, yet the rate remains well below regional peers such as Mozambique (70.08 %) and Mauritania (70.86 %). The modest pace of progress suggests that while policy interventions have narrowed the gap with the lowest‑performing peer Afghanistan (53.97 %), substantial gains are still required to approach the levels seen in higher‑ranking African nations. Continued investment in school infrastructure, teacher training and community outreach is likely to determine whether Mali can sustain its upward trajectory and accelerate convergence toward the regional average in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 53.35% | +3.22pp | #43 |
| 2018 | 50.13% | +0.76pp | #54 |
| 2015 | 49.37% | +7.27pp | #46 |
| 2011 | 42.10% | −2.20pp | #54 |
| 2010 | 44.30% | +5.48pp | #50 |
| 2006 | 38.82% | +14.63pp | #36 |
| 1998 | 24.19% | +4.54pp | #5 |
| 1976 | 19.65% | – | #8 |
Analysis
Mali's youth literacy rate was 53.35% in 2020, a rise of +3.22pp from 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mali's youth literacy rate was 53.35% in 2020. Ranked 43rd globally. This represents a 6.4% increase from the previous year.
Mali's youth literacy rate peaked at 53.35% in 2020.
The lowest youth literacy rate in Mali was 19.65% in 1976.
Mali ranks 43rd 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 Mali in 2020 was 53.35%. This ranks 43rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mali_youth-literacy-rate,
title = {Mali Youth Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mali/youth-literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}