Uganda Youth Literacy Rate
Literacy rate among youth ages 15-24 SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS
Uganda's youth literacy rate was 89.63% in 2021, ranked 38th globally. This represents a 12.3% increase from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2021.
Overview
Uganda's youth literacy rate stood at 89.63% in 2021, a rise of +9.85pp from 2016. Uganda ranked 38th globally.
Uganda’s youth literacy rate rose from 69.80% in 1991 to 89.63% in 2021, marking an all‑time peak that places the country 38th globally. The 19.83‑percentage‑point increase over three decades reflects sustained investment in primary education and expanding access to secondary schooling, particularly after the 1995 Education Act that emphasized universal basic education. While Uganda’s 2021 rate of 89.63% trails Ghana’s 91.51% and Comoros’ 90.84%, it exceeds Zambia’s 84.15% and Madagascar’s 82.38%, suggesting that Uganda is converging toward the higher end of the sub‑Saharan peer group. The eight‑year data coverage captures the most recent decade of progress, yet the upward trajectory may be vulnerable to fiscal constraints and demographic pressures as the youth population expands. Continued policy focus on teacher quality, digital learning resources, and rural school infrastructure will be essential to maintain and potentially improve the literacy rate in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89.63% | +9.85pp | #38 |
| 2016 | 79.78% | −0.52pp | #41 |
| 2014 | 80.30% | −3.36pp | #42 |
| 2012 | 83.66% | −3.75pp | #41 |
| 2010 | 87.41% | +3.34pp | #39 |
| 2006 | 84.07% | +3.28pp | #27 |
| 2002 | 80.79% | +10.99pp | #19 |
| 1991 | 69.80% | – | #20 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Uganda matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw youth literacy rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Uganda's youth literacy rate was 89.63% in 2021. Ranked 38th globally. This represents a 12.3% increase from the previous year.
Uganda's youth literacy rate peaked at 89.63% in 2021.
The lowest youth literacy rate in Uganda was 69.80% in 1991.
Uganda ranks 38th globally in youth literacy rate as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The youth literacy rate of Uganda in 2021 was 89.63%. This ranks 38th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uganda_youth-literacy-rate,
title = {Uganda Youth Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uganda/youth-literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}