Myanmar Literacy Rate
Adult literacy rate SE.ADT.LITR.ZS
Myanmar's literacy rate was 93.55% in 2020, ranked 25th globally. This represents a 5.0% increase from 2019. Data from World Bank, covering 1983–2020.
Overview
Myanmar's literacy rate stood at 93.55% in 2020, a rise of +4.48pp from 2019. Myanmar ranked 25th globally.
Myanmar’s literacy rate rose from an all‑time trough of 78.57 % in 1983 to an all‑time peak of 95.82 % in 2018, reflecting sustained expansion of primary and secondary schooling over three decades. By 2020 the rate stood at 93.55 %, placing the country 25th globally and just below peers such as Ecuador (93.63 %) and the Dominican Republic (93.70 %). The upward trajectory was driven by government‑led universal education policies in the 1990s and substantial donor support for teacher training and school infrastructure in the early 2000s. Despite the gains, the slight dip from the 2018 peak suggests lingering challenges, including regional disparities and limited access in conflict‑affected areas. Continued investment in adult literacy programmes and the integration of digital learning tools could help sustain progress and potentially restore the post‑2018 high, keeping Myanmar’s literacy rate on an upward path.
Data & projection
| Year | Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 93.55% | +4.48pp | #25 |
| 2019 | 89.07% | −6.75pp | #35 |
| 2018 | 95.82% | +11.04pp | #11 |
| 2016 | 84.78% | −5.58pp | #32 |
| 2014 | 90.36% | +0.42pp | #23 |
| 2000 | 89.94% | +11.37pp | #18 |
| 1983 | 78.57% | – | #2 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Myanmar matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2009. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw literacy rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Myanmar's literacy rate was 93.55% in 2020. Ranked 25th globally. This represents a 5.0% increase from the previous year.
Myanmar's literacy rate peaked at 95.82% in 2018.
The lowest literacy rate in Myanmar was 78.57% in 1983.
Myanmar ranks 25th 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 Myanmar in 2020 was 93.55%. This ranks 25th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_myanmar_literacy-rate,
title = {Myanmar Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/myanmar/literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}