Thailand Literacy Rate
Adult literacy rate SE.ADT.LITR.ZS
Thailand's literacy rate was 90.59% in 2025, ranked 33rd globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Thailand's literacy rate stood at 90.59% in 2025, a decline of +0.51pp from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 90.59% by 2025. Thailand ranked 33rd globally.
Thailand’s literacy rate has risen modestly from 87.98 % in 1980, the all‑time trough, to 90.59 % in 2025, placing the country 33rd globally. The upward trajectory peaked in 2010 at 96.43 %, after which the rate has slipped slightly, reflecting a gradual slowdown in progress despite continued investment in primary education. Compared with peers, Thailand’s 2025 figure is marginally above South Africa’s 90.57 % but below Sri Lanka’s 92.81 % and Belize’s 93.09 %, indicating that regional performance remains mixed. The 11‑year coverage of the data series captures the post‑industrial expansion era, during which urbanisation and adult‑education programmes contributed to gains, while recent demographic shifts and digital divides may be dampening further improvements. Maintaining the current pace will likely keep Thailand near the mid‑90s percentile, but accelerated policy focus on remote‑learning infrastructure and lifelong‑learning incentives could reverse the modest decline and restore higher literacy levels.
Data & projection
| Year | Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 90.59% | - | - |
| 2025 | 90.59% | −0.51pp | #33 |
| 2022 | 91.10% | −0.17pp | #22 |
| 2019 | 91.27% | −2.50pp | #32 |
| 2018 | 93.77% | +1.79pp | #21 |
| 2016 | 91.98% | −0.89pp | #26 |
| 2015 | 92.87% | −0.83pp | #20 |
| 2013 | 93.70% | −2.73pp | #17 |
| 2010 | 96.43% | +2.92pp | #8 |
| 2005 | 93.51% | +0.86pp | #2 |
| 2000 | 92.65% | +4.67pp | #11 |
| 1980 | 87.98% | – | #8 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Thailand matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw literacy rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Thailand's literacy rate was 90.59% in 2025. Ranked 33rd globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from the previous year.
Thailand's literacy rate peaked at 96.43% in 2010.
The lowest literacy rate in Thailand was 87.98% in 1980.
Thailand ranks 33rd globally in literacy rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.LITR.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Thailand's literacy rate is projected to reach 90.59% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The literacy rate of Thailand in 2025 was 90.59%. This ranks 33rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_thailand_literacy-rate,
title = {Thailand Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/thailand/literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}