Adult literacy rate

67.9%

2021latest data

out of 100 — Progressing

+1.3% per year

5-year average trend

What this means

Percentage of adults (15+) who can read and write. Nepal's literacy has risen from 54% in 2001 to 68% in 2021, but remains far below the regional best.

Historical data & projections to 2040

2001–2021

Current trend

84.85%

by 2040

Moderate reform (+25%)

89.68%

by 2040

Aggressive reform (+50%)

94.77%

by 2040

Stagnation (-50%)

75.93%

by 2040

Historical data

Year	Value	Source	Status
2021	67.9%	Central Bureau of Statistics Nepal	Verified
2011	65.9%	Central Bureau of Statistics Nepal	Verified
2001	53.7%	Central Bureau of Statistics Nepal	Verified

At a glance

Developed country benchmark

99%

Nepal's 2040 target

90%

Progress to benchmark

69% of the way there

Direction

Higher is better

Data confidence

High confidence

Regional comparison

Nepal

67.9%

India

77%

Bangladesh

74%

SriLanka

92%

Benchmark

99%

Sources

Central Bureau of Statistics Nepal

Latest available: 2021 · Updated by Nepal Next: 30 Jul 2026