Datashot
9 African countries, including
Kenya, have higher literacy rates
than the global average
100
86
80
10
64
60
11
40
76
53
20
0
World
1990
Sub-Saharan Africa
% Growth
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24
23
China
India
29
30
World Avg.
Egypt
30
Algeria
35
Tunisia
Gross Tertiary Enrollment Ratio (%)
2011
36
Tertiary enrollment ratio is measured
as the percentage of the total
population of the five-year age group
following on from secondary school
completion. In 2011, Mauritius,
Tunisia and Algeria had a higher
tertiary enrollment ratio than China
and India. These figures promise the
availability of a literate African labour
force
for
companies
and
organizations looking to invest in
Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa’s labour
force stands at more than 353 million
as of 2012.
Projected Adult Literacy (%)
2015
Mauritius
The World Bank defines ‘literacy’ as
the ability to understand, read and
write a short, simple statement on
one’s everyday life. In 2011, 9 African
countries including Kenya, South
Africa and Seychelles achieved higher
adult (15 years and older) literacy
levels than the global average of 84%.
Literacy levels for Sub-Saharan Africa
are projected to grow to 64% by 2015,
representing 11% growth since 1990
which is more than the projected
global literacy growth.
Data: The World Bank
CIA World Factbook
UNESCO Institute for Statistics