Top 10 Most Illiterated Countries in the World
The ability to read or write is called literacy. In broad sense, the ability to use language, images, numbers etc to understand and use the dominant system of a culture. This term’s meaning has also been expanded to include skills to access knowledge through technology. It is a lifelong intellectual process of gaining meaning from a critical interpretation of written or printed material. According to UNESCO literacy is the ability to identify, interpret, communicate, understand, create and compute using printed materials associated with varying contexts. The inability to do above mentioned things is called illiteracy. Illiteracy is also called analphabetism. These days, Literacy statistics show a sad picture of people having the capability to read and write. It is sad fact that illiteracy rate is high for women. Two out of every three illiterate people are women. It is another sad fact that many countries do not take this issue seriously. Majority of the people of below mentioned countries is in able to read, write and understand the basic fundamentals of life. This thing has made their lives extremely difficult. There are many developed countries with zero illiteracy rates. The less metroplitanized countries of South America, Africa and Asia are facing a lot of problems due to high illiteracy rate. Here, We have prepared a list of top 10 most illiterate countries in the world 2015.
10.Mauritania
The literacy rate of Mauritania was estimated between 18% to 25% in the mid of 80s. Now the illiteracy rate of Mauritania is almost 60.1%. There is no education for adults. It is amazing that according to Mauritania Laws, attending school is mandatory for kids and it is free of cost. Poor children face so much obstruction in Mauritania. The inflation rate is very much high in this country. Poverty keeps the children away from educational facilities offered by the Government of Mauritania.
9.Ethiopia
According to World Bank’s study, literacy rate in Ethiopia was 29.82% five year ago. In other words illiteracy rate was 70.18 % in Ethiopia. This study was based on the number of individual who were capable to read and write the straightforward sentences used in daily conversation. Now Ethiopia has 61.3% illiteracy rate. It is one of the lowest illiteracy rates in that area. Government is doing efforts to improve literacy rate and NGOs also have set up a lot of learning institutes and colleges in the country. The pace of literacy program in this country is very slow.
8.Benin
Benin is rich in natural resource but is unfortunately one of the poorest countries in Africa. Its population is only 9.05 million. Its illiteracy rate is 62.5% which is very high. The Government is doing substantial work to increase the education but still a huge number of the population is unable to read and write.
7.Senegal
The Illiteracy rate of Senegal is 62.7%. This country is situated in West Africa. It had undergone economic depreciation in past few years therefore it receives international donation every year. Development in education is very slow in spite of huge investment for last three decades in educational program in this country. Millions of children do not go to school. Adult population is almost 50% illiterate. A rapid growth in population is also a great setback in educational progress.
6.Guinea-Bissau
For the children of 7 to 13 year, education is compulsory in Guinea-Bissau but illiteracy rate of this country is still 63.2%. Child labor in uncontrolled in this country. A huge portion of the population does not know the basics of reading and writing. This country has been experiencing internal conflicts for many years. These conflicts have led the country to deterioration, poverty and illiteracy.
5.The Gambia
Gambia is a smaller West African agricultural country. Its Illiteracy rate is 63.5%. This is good thing that free education is mandatory for everyone in Gambia. The deficiency of resources and poor educational system are two great setbacks in this regard. Two decades ago its literacy rate was 77.1%. That was a golden period in the history of this country when 8 out of 10 people used to go school. Better rules are being applied for education but educational circumstances are still adverse.
4.Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone depends upon its mining industry. Sierra Leone’s population is above six million. Its illiteracy rate is 63.7%. Like other West African countries it also has very high illiteracy rate. According to its laws, children have to attend at least six years in the primary and three year in the secondary. There is lack of resources and teachers and it is nearly impossible to educate the children properly. About two third of Sierra Leone population is illiterate. Government is taking step to promote education. Due to civil war several schools had been destroyed. In these days new schools are being constructed. Although primary education is compulsory and is free of cost but literacy rate is still very low. It possesses no. 4 in this list of top 10 most illiterate countries in the world.
3.Afghanistan
The illiteracy rate in Afghanistan is 63.7%. 25% population lives in urban area and remaining 75% lives in rular areas. Afghan people have worst educational opportunities. All the women and 70% men are illiterate. The main reasons behind illiteracy are violence against schools and constant wars. Other reasons behind Afghanistan’s illiteracy are insufficient teachers, infrastructure, extremism and child labor. Afghanistan possesses no. 3 in this list of top 10 most illiterate countries in the world.
2.Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is the second most illiterate country in the world. Its illiteracy rate is 77%. 70% adult population is illiterate. This country is undergoing deficiency of school teachers even at primary level. The few existing schools are overcrowded and cannot be managed properly. It is also a solid reason making the individuals uneducated.
1.Niger
The country which possesses no. 1 in this list of top 10 most illiterate countries in the world is Niger. Illiteracy rate of Nigear is 84.3%. Above 80% of adults are illiterate. In other words 84.3% people of this country cannot read and write. In Niger, primary education is compulsory for six years. But unfortunately school enrollment and attendance are very low. The major problem of this country is child labor. Child labor is a great hurdle in the way of education. Niger possesses no 1 in this list of top 10 most illiterate countries in the world.
Top 10 Most Illiterated Countries in the World
1.Niger
2.Burkina Faso
3.Afghanistan
4.Sierra Leone
5.The Gambia
6.Guinea-Bissau
7.Senegal
8.Benin
9.Ethiopia
10.Mauritania
