South Africa Lowest Literacy Rate
76.20%
The lowest literacy rate in South Africa was 76.20% in 1980. The top 5 years were: 1980 (76.20%), 1996 (82.40%), 2007 (88.72%), 2021 (90.00%), 2025 (90.57%).
Top 5 Lowest Years▾
All Data (sorted by value)▾
| Year | Value | Change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 76.20% | – | 13th |
| 1996 | 82.40% | +6.20pp | 5th |
| 2007 | 88.72% | +6.32pp | 18th |
| 2025 | 90.57% | −0.58pp | 34th |
| 2021 | 90.00% | −5.02pp | 22nd |
| 2024 | 91.15% | +1.15pp | 14th |
| 2016 | 91.74% | −2.63pp | 27th |
| 2019 | 95.02% | +3.28pp | 22nd |
| 2015 | 94.37% | +0.23pp | 16th |
| 2014 | 94.14% | +0.41pp | 17th |
| 2012 | 93.73% | +0.63pp | 16th |
| 2011 | 93.10% | +0.22pp | 31st |
| 2010 | 92.88% | −0.01pp | 21st |
| 2009 | 92.89% | +4.17pp | 15th |