Niger Literacy Rate
Adult literacy rate SE.ADT.LITR.ZS
Niger's literacy rate was 35.73% in 2025, ranked 58th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2001–2025.
Overview
Niger's literacy rate stood at 35.73% in 2025, a rise of +0.12pp from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 35.73% by 2025. Niger ranked 58th globally.
Niger’s adult literacy rate has risen from 14.38 % in 2001 to 35.73 % in 2025, marking the country’s all‑time peak and placing it 58th globally. The increase, achieved over a 24‑year span, reflects modest gains in primary school enrolment and adult education programmes, yet the rate remains well below regional peers such as Burkina Faso (43.24 %), Benin (49.56 %) and Senegal (50.43 %). The steepest climb occurred after 2010, when government‑sponsored literacy campaigns expanded into rural areas, narrowing the gap with neighboring states that have benefited from higher public spending on education. Despite progress, the current level suggests that a substantial proportion of the population still lacks basic reading and writing skills, constraining human‑capital development and limiting participation in the formal economy. Continued investment in teacher training, curriculum relevance and gender‑inclusive schooling will be essential to sustain the upward trajectory and move Niger closer to regional averages.
Data & projection
| Year | Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 35.73% | - | - |
| 2025 | 35.73% | +0.12pp | #58 |
| 2022 | 35.61% | +2.56pp | #44 |
| 2018 | 33.05% | +4.08pp | #48 |
| 2014 | 28.97% | −1.59pp | #45 |
| 2012 | 30.56% | +1.89pp | #43 |
| 2005 | 28.67% | +14.29pp | #18 |
| 2001 | 14.38% | – | #29 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Niger matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw literacy rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Niger's literacy rate was 35.73% in 2025. Ranked 58th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
Niger's literacy rate peaked at 35.73% in 2025.
The lowest literacy rate in Niger was 14.38% in 2001.
Niger ranks 58th globally in literacy rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.LITR.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Niger's literacy rate is projected to reach 35.73% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The literacy rate of Niger in 2025 was 35.73%. This ranks 58th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_niger_literacy-rate,
title = {Niger Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/niger/literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}