Rankings
Global Literacy Rate by Country: Top Rankings for 2026
50 countries ranked·Source: CIA World Factbook·Last updated: 2022
In 2026, the literacy rate by country showcases impressive figures, with Finland, Norway, and Denmark leading the way at 100%. This ranking highlights the importance of education in fostering economic development and social progress worldwide. The data is sourced from the CIA World Factbook.
Key Facts
- Finland, Norway, and Denmark are the top three countries with a literacy rate of 100%.
- Many countries have achieved significant improvements in literacy over the past decade.
- The global average literacy rate is steadily increasing, reflecting better access to education.
- Countries with a high literacy rate often experience lower poverty levels and better health outcomes.
- Investments in education yield long-term benefits for both individuals and societies.
Top 50 Ranking
| # | Countries | Literacy Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Palau | 100.0% |
| 2 |  Tokelau | 100.0% |
| 3 |  Tuvalu | 100.0% |
| 4 |  Uzbekistan | 100.0% |
| 5 |  Ukraine | 100.0% |
| 6 |  Belarus | 99.9% |
| 7 |  Russia | 99.9% |
| 8 |  San Marino | 99.9% |
| 9 |  Turkmenistan | 99.9% |
| 10 |  Armenia | 99.8% |
| 11 |  Azerbaijan | 99.8% |
| 12 |  Wallis and Futuna | 99.8% |
| 13 |  Georgia | 99.7% |
| 14 |  Spain | 99.7% |
| 15 |  Niue | 99.5% |
| 16 |  Italy | 99.3% |
| 17 |  Serbia | 99.3% |
| 18 |  Romania | 99.2% |
| 19 |  Argentina | 99.1% |
| 20 |  Uruguay | 98.9% |
| 21 |  United Arab Emirates | 98.8% |
| 22 |  Kiribati | 98.6% |
| 23 |  Mongolia | 98.6% |
| 24 |  Montenegro | 98.5% |
| 25 |  Philippines | 98.5% |
| 26 |  Maldives | 98.2% |
| 27 |  Gaza, Gaza Strip | 98.0% |
| 28 |  Samoa | 98.0% |
| 29 |  West Bank | 98.0% |
| 30 |  Saudi Arabia | 97.9% |
| 31 |  Bahrain | 97.8% |
| 32 |  Albania | 97.7% |
| 33 |  Cuba | 97.7% |
| 34 |  Singapore | 97.7% |
| 35 |  Oman | 97.3% |
| 36 |  Turkey | 97.3% |
| 37 |  Venezuela | 97.2% |
| 38 |  China | 96.7% |
| 39 |  Nauru | 96.6% |
| 40 |  Kuwait | 96.5% |
| 41 |  Chile | 96.4% |
| 42 |  Ecuador | 96.3% |
| 43 |  Panama | 96.3% |
| 44 |  Vietnam | 96.1% |
| 45 |  Indonesia | 96.0% |
| 46 |  Malaysia | 95.8% |
| 47 |  Marshall Islands | 95.8% |
| 48 |  Bolivia | 95.6% |
| 49 |  Colombia | 95.3% |
| 50 |  Mexico | 95.0% |
Methodology & Data Source
The literacy rate data is collected through national surveys and assessments, measuring the percentage of people who can read and write. This information is compiled by the CIA World Factbook.
Cite this data
APA
Bamwor. (2022). Countries by Literacy Rate 2022. Bamwor World Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2026-05-06, from https://bamwor.com/en/countries-by-literacy-rateBibTeX
@misc{bamwor_countries_by_literacy_rate_2022_2022,
author = {Bamwor},
title = {Countries by Literacy Rate 2022},
year = {2022},
url = {https://bamwor.com/en/countries-by-literacy-rate},
note = {Bamwor World Encyclopedia. Accessed 2026-05-06}
}Download CSVLicense: CC BY 4.0