Gender and schooling around the world
Adult literacy, school enrolment and women's work, side by side for 217 countries.
Three indicators describe how much of a country's population is inside the education system and how much of it is in paid work. Read together they say more than any one of them alone, and they are the basis for the decisions the simulation puts in front of a character during the school years.
Adult literacy rate
A higher value means a larger share of adults can read and write a simple statement. 113 Countries reporting this indicator.
Among the 113 countries reporting adult literacy rate, the figure runs from 30.6% (Chad, 2019) to 100.0% (Tuvalu, 2022), with a median of 91.1%. The middle half of the countries fall between 51.6% and 99.5%.
- Lowest reported
- 30.6%
- Chad · 2019
- Median
- 91.1%
- across 113 countries
- Highest reported
- 100.0%
- Tuvalu · 2022
- Middle half
- 51.6% – 99.5%
- 10th–90th percentile
Secondary school enrolment
A higher value means more of each cohort is enrolled in secondary school. 179 Countries reporting this indicator.
Among the 179 countries reporting secondary school enrolment, the figure runs from 3.3% (Somalia, Fed. Rep., 2023) to 158.5% (Monaco, 2024), with a median of 92.4%. The middle half of the countries fall between 46.9% and 118.7%.
- Lowest reported
- 3.3%
- Somalia, Fed. Rep. · 2023
- Median
- 92.4%
- across 179 countries
- Highest reported
- 158.5%
- Monaco · 2024
- Middle half
- 46.9% – 118.7%
- 10th–90th percentile
Female labour-force participation
A higher value means a larger share of women are in work or looking for it. 187 Countries reporting this indicator.
Among the 187 countries reporting female labour-force participation, the figure runs from 4.7% (Yemen, Rep., 2024) to 82.9% (Madagascar, 2024), with a median of 53.2%. The middle half of the countries fall between 26.6% and 70.3%.
- Lowest reported
- 4.7%
- Yemen, Rep. · 2024
- Median
- 53.2%
- across 187 countries
- Highest reported
- 82.9%
- Madagascar · 2024
- Middle half
- 26.6% – 70.3%
- 10th–90th percentile
How do the three move across countries?
Each row is one country, with the year its figure was observed. The regions are the World Bank's own groupings.
East Asia & Pacific (34)
| Country | Adult literacy rate | Secondary school enrolment | Female labour-force participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 131.9% (2024) | 62.6% (2024) | |
| Brunei Darussalam | 91.8% (2023) | 54.7% (2024) | |
| Cambodia | 71.9% (2021) | 58.8% (2024) | 77.3% (2024) |
| China | 96.7% (2020) | 59.4% (2024) | |
| Fiji | 98.1% (2024) | 38.5% (2024) | |
| French Polynesia | 47.0% (2024) | ||
| Guam | 56.5% (2024) | ||
| Hong Kong SAR, China | 107.2% (2024) | 52.3% (2024) | |
| Indonesia | 96.0% (2020) | 98.8% (2024) | 53.6% (2024) |
| Japan | 101.5% (2023) | 55.6% (2024) | |
| Kiribati | 98.6% (2020) | 90.3% (2024) | |
| Korea, Dem. People's Rep. | 77.7% (2024) | ||
| Korea, Rep. | 96.3% (2024) | 56.8% (2024) | |
| Lao PDR | 75.6% (2023) | 51.9% (2024) | 61.5% (2024) |
| Macao SAR, China | 94.7% (2024) | 63.5% (2024) | |
| Malaysia | 95.8% (2022) | 80.3% (2024) | 51.6% (2024) |
| Marshall Islands | 95.8% (2021) | 85.8% (2024) | |
| Mongolia | 98.6% (2024) | 96.8% (2023) | 52.1% (2024) |
| Myanmar | 93.5% (2020) | 77.0% (2018) | 41.0% (2024) |
| Naoero | 96.6% (2023) | 91.5% (2024) | |
| New Caledonia | 51.6% (2024) | ||
| New Zealand | 114.2% (2024) | 66.3% (2024) | |
| Palau | 99.8% (2020) | 95.7% (2024) | |
| Papua New Guinea | 87.0% (2022) | 52.1% (2023) | 50.7% (2024) |
| Philippines | 98.5% (2020) | 85.3% (2024) | 50.5% (2024) |
| Samoa | 98.0% (2019) | 31.1% (2024) | |
| Singapore | 97.7% (2021) | 103.1% (2023) | 63.1% (2024) |
| Solomon Islands | 82.3% (2024) | ||
| Thailand | 91.1% (2022) | 92.5% (2024) | 59.5% (2024) |
| Timor-Leste | 69.4% (2022) | 84.7% (2020) | 61.5% (2024) |
| Tonga | 99.5% (2023) | 92.4% (2024) | 42.5% (2024) |
| Tuvalu | 100.0% (2022) | 90.7% (2024) | |
| Vanuatu | 88.0% (2023) | 134.7% (2023) | 53.5% (2024) |
| Viet Nam | 96.1% (2022) | 93.4% (2022) | 68.9% (2024) |
Europe & Central Asia (54)
| Country | Adult literacy rate | Secondary school enrolment | Female labour-force participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 97.7% (2023) | 108.4% (2024) | 58.2% (2024) |
| Andorra | 101.9% (2024) | ||
| Armenia | 99.8% (2023) | 90.9% (2024) | 51.6% (2024) |
| Austria | 100.6% (2024) | 55.4% (2024) | |
| Azerbaijan | 99.8% (2023) | 91.1% (2024) | 61.4% (2024) |
| Belarus | 99.9% (2019) | 94.8% (2024) | 57.2% (2024) |
| Belgium | 143.0% (2023) | 50.0% (2024) | |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 87.9% (2023) | 39.4% (2024) | |
| Bulgaria | 94.8% (2024) | 50.5% (2024) | |
| Channel Islands | 49.6% (2024) | ||
| Croatia | 105.0% (2023) | 47.5% (2024) | |
| Cyprus | 106.7% (2024) | 61.4% (2024) | |
| Czechia | 97.6% (2023) | 53.7% (2024) | |
| Denmark | 125.6% (2024) | 60.9% (2024) | |
| Estonia | 108.5% (2024) | 61.3% (2024) | |
| Finland | 142.4% (2024) | 56.7% (2024) | |
| France | 103.8% (2024) | 51.8% (2024) | |
| Georgia | 99.7% (2024) | 101.0% (2024) | 56.7% (2024) |
| Germany | 100.2% (2024) | 55.6% (2024) | |
| Gibraltar | 78.5% (2024) | ||
| Greece | 105.2% (2023) | 45.0% (2024) | |
| Hungary | 107.4% (2024) | 54.4% (2024) | |
| Iceland | 108.9% (2023) | 70.3% (2024) | |
| Ireland | 130.6% (2022) | 59.8% (2024) | |
| Italy | 99.3% (2019) | 100.7% (2023) | 41.0% (2024) |
| Kazakhstan | 97.2% (2024) | 65.3% (2024) | |
| Kyrgyz Republic | 91.3% (2024) | 44.3% (2024) | |
| Latvia | 101.3% (2024) | 55.5% (2024) | |
| Liechtenstein | 118.7% (2021) | ||
| Lithuania | 104.9% (2024) | 57.9% (2024) | |
| Luxembourg | 108.6% (2024) | 57.6% (2024) | |
| Moldova | 99.3% (2024) | 72.2% (2024) | |
| Monaco | 158.5% (2024) | ||
| Montenegro | 98.5% (2018) | 93.9% (2023) | 51.4% (2024) |
| Netherlands | 137.5% (2023) | 62.9% (2024) | |
| North Macedonia | 90.1% (2023) | 42.9% (2024) | |
| Norway | 116.3% (2024) | 62.3% (2024) | |
| Poland | 107.9% (2024) | 51.9% (2024) | |
| Portugal | 120.3% (2023) | 54.9% (2024) | |
| Romania | 99.2% (2021) | 81.6% (2023) | 41.9% (2024) |
| Russian Federation | 99.9% (2021) | 92.5% (2023) | 55.2% (2024) |
| San Marino | 99.9% (2022) | 60.4% (2024) | |
| Serbia | 99.3% (2022) | 89.8% (2024) | 52.6% (2024) |
| Slovak Republic | 93.2% (2024) | 55.5% (2024) | |
| Slovenia | 107.6% (2023) | 52.6% (2024) | |
| Spain | 99.7% (2021) | 118.5% (2024) | 53.2% (2024) |
| Sweden | 132.0% (2024) | 61.7% (2024) | |
| Switzerland | 101.4% (2024) | 62.5% (2024) | |
| Tajikistan | 86.9% (2024) | 21.9% (2024) | |
| Turkiye | 97.3% (2021) | 118.4% (2023) | 36.8% (2024) |
| Turkmenistan | 99.9% (2022) | 94.6% (2024) | 38.4% (2024) |
| Ukraine | 86.2% (2024) | 47.7% (2021) | |
| United Kingdom | 112.1% (2023) | 57.5% (2024) | |
| Uzbekistan | 100.0% (2022) | 96.8% (2024) | 41.3% (2024) |
Latin America & Caribbean (40)
| Country | Adult literacy rate | Secondary school enrolment | Female labour-force participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | 108.9% (2023) | ||
| Argentina | 99.1% (2020) | 105.6% (2023) | 52.3% (2024) |
| Aruba | 124.4% (2024) | ||
| Bahamas, The | 79.5% (2024) | 71.0% (2024) | |
| Barbados | 104.4% (2024) | 61.4% (2024) | |
| Belize | 87.9% (2022) | 86.5% (2024) | 43.8% (2024) |
| Bolivia | 96.7% (2024) | 90.5% (2024) | 72.4% (2024) |
| Brazil | 94.7% (2024) | 104.1% (2024) | 53.6% (2024) |
| British Virgin Islands | 75.6% (2024) | ||
| Cayman Islands | 84.8% (2024) | ||
| Chile | 105.6% (2024) | 52.8% (2024) | |
| Colombia | 95.3% (2024) | 101.6% (2022) | 51.7% (2024) |
| Costa Rica | 121.8% (2024) | 46.0% (2024) | |
| Cuba | 97.7% (2019) | 91.7% (2024) | 40.4% (2024) |
| Curacao | 89.9% (2024) | ||
| Dominica | 102.6% (2023) | ||
| Dominican Republic | 94.0% (2024) | 76.4% (2024) | 53.3% (2024) |
| Ecuador | 93.5% (2024) | 92.8% (2023) | 52.4% (2024) |
| El Salvador | 89.8% (2024) | 62.1% (2024) | 49.0% (2024) |
| Grenada | 100.7% (2024) | ||
| Guatemala | 82.1% (2024) | 49.6% (2024) | 38.4% (2024) |
| Guyana | 85.6% (2020) | 91.4% (2024) | 47.4% (2024) |
| Haiti | 58.3% (2024) | ||
| Honduras | 88.3% (2024) | 51.8% (2024) | 39.6% (2024) |
| Jamaica | 84.5% (2024) | 62.9% (2024) | |
| Mexico | 95.5% (2024) | 103.1% (2024) | 47.4% (2024) |
| Nicaragua | 70.2% (2023) | 51.1% (2024) | |
| Panama | 96.2% (2024) | 54.8% (2024) | |
| Paraguay | 94.9% (2024) | 79.1% (2024) | 58.9% (2024) |
| Peru | 93.7% (2024) | 108.3% (2024) | 64.9% (2024) |
| Puerto Rico (US) | 81.5% (2024) | 36.7% (2024) | |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | 137.5% (2023) | ||
| St. Lucia | 87.9% (2024) | 61.9% (2024) | |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 124.9% (2024) | 59.3% (2024) | |
| Suriname | 76.1% (2023) | 44.9% (2024) | |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 95.7% (2024) | 48.1% (2024) | |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | 119.7% (2024) | ||
| Uruguay | 98.9% (2024) | 119.1% (2023) | 57.3% (2024) |
| Venezuela, RB | 97.8% (2024) | 37.3% (2024) | |
| Virgin Islands (U.S.) | 52.8% (2024) |
North America (3)
| Country | Adult literacy rate | Secondary school enrolment | Female labour-force participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda | 74.4% (2023) | ||
| Canada | 104.3% (2023) | 60.4% (2024) | |
| United States | 97.5% (2022) | 56.6% (2024) |
South Asia (6)
| Country | Adult literacy rate | Secondary school enrolment | Female labour-force participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 79.0% (2022) | 64.3% (2024) | 38.7% (2024) |
| Bhutan | 64.9% (2022) | 86.2% (2024) | 56.6% (2024) |
| India | 78.2% (2024) | 78.1% (2024) | 32.4% (2024) |
| Maldives | 98.2% (2019) | 79.4% (2023) | 40.5% (2024) |
| Nepal | 68.7% (2019) | 90.4% (2024) | 27.4% (2024) |
| Sri Lanka | 92.7% (2024) | 88.0% (2023) | 31.0% (2024) |
Sub-Saharan Africa (48)
| Country | Adult literacy rate | Secondary school enrolment | Female labour-force participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angola | 68.2% (2023) | 51.5% (2023) | 72.4% (2024) |
| Benin | 51.4% (2022) | 43.6% (2022) | 75.0% (2024) |
| Botswana | 70.6% (2021) | 63.5% (2024) | |
| Burkina Faso | 41.6% (2023) | 30.0% (2024) | 64.1% (2024) |
| Burundi | 71.3% (2020) | 44.9% (2020) | 79.7% (2024) |
| Cabo Verde | 88.5% (2024) | 96.4% (2022) | 50.4% (2024) |
| Cameroon | 72.5% (2018) | 44.8% (2023) | 57.1% (2024) |
| Central African Republic | 42.4% (2019) | 65.5% (2024) | |
| Chad | 30.6% (2019) | 23.5% (2024) | 47.6% (2024) |
| Comoros | 75.6% (2021) | 54.8% (2022) | 47.1% (2024) |
| Congo, Dem. Rep. | 68.5% (2023) | 55.5% (2023) | 61.9% (2024) |
| Congo, Rep. | 65.6% (2024) | ||
| Cote d'Ivoire | 50.0% (2021) | 65.3% (2024) | 59.5% (2024) |
| Equatorial Guinea | 53.0% (2024) | ||
| Eritrea | 44.0% (2022) | 72.9% (2024) | |
| Eswatini | 90.8% (2022) | 48.4% (2024) | |
| Ethiopia | 60.5% (2022) | 58.4% (2024) | |
| Gabon | 88.9% (2021) | 70.3% (2019) | 41.8% (2024) |
| Gambia, The | 51.6% (2021) | 107.0% (2021) | 45.4% (2024) |
| Ghana | 76.5% (2021) | 75.7% (2024) | 55.7% (2024) |
| Guinea | 39.6% (2018) | 42.9% (2024) | |
| Guinea-Bissau | 63.9% (2022) | 60.2% (2024) | |
| Kenya | 84.3% (2023) | 63.0% (2024) | |
| Lesotho | 90.5% (2024) | 48.5% (2024) | |
| Liberia | 37.7% (2020) | 72.0% (2024) | |
| Madagascar | 74.7% (2021) | 34.1% (2021) | 82.9% (2024) |
| Malawi | 70.2% (2020) | 36.6% (2023) | 58.5% (2024) |
| Mali | 35.6% (2024) | 38.9% (2023) | 53.1% (2024) |
| Mauritania | 59.5% (2020) | 36.0% (2020) | 26.2% (2024) |
| Mauritius | 94.3% (2023) | 90.7% (2024) | 47.5% (2024) |
| Mozambique | 61.7% (2022) | 77.2% (2024) | |
| Namibia | 87.6% (2023) | 82.0% (2024) | 54.9% (2024) |
| Niger | 35.6% (2022) | 19.9% (2024) | 72.8% (2024) |
| Nigeria | 70.4% (2024) | 46.9% (2023) | 80.7% (2024) |
| Rwanda | 78.8% (2022) | 48.8% (2024) | 57.1% (2024) |
| Sao Tome and Principe | 87.4% (2019) | 22.8% (2024) | |
| Senegal | 50.4% (2023) | 44.1% (2023) | 38.0% (2024) |
| Seychelles | 70.8% (2024) | ||
| Sierra Leone | 43.6% (2019) | 86.9% (2023) | 51.8% (2024) |
| Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 54.1% (2022) | 3.3% (2023) | 20.7% (2024) |
| South Africa | 91.2% (2024) | 104.1% (2023) | 49.8% (2024) |
| South Sudan | 122.1% (2024) | 70.4% (2023) | |
| Sudan | 43.5% (2019) | 14.5% (2022) | |
| Tanzania | 78.2% (2022) | 28.2% (2021) | 80.3% (2024) |
| Togo | 72.6% (2022) | 63.4% (2023) | 56.6% (2024) |
| Uganda | 77.0% (2024) | 75.6% (2024) | |
| Zambia | 71.8% (2024) | 56.8% (2024) | 56.4% (2024) |
| Zimbabwe | 93.2% (2019) | 62.1% (2024) |
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (23)
| Country | Adult literacy rate | Secondary school enrolment | Female labour-force participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 37.3% (2021) | 59.6% (2023) | 5.1% (2024) |
| Algeria | 105.2% (2024) | 14.3% (2024) | |
| Bahrain | 97.8% (2024) | 98.8% (2024) | 42.4% (2024) |
| Djibouti | 19.2% (2024) | ||
| Egypt, Arab Rep. | 79.5% (2022) | 84.8% (2024) | 18.5% (2024) |
| Iran, Islamic Rep. | 88.9% (2023) | 85.1% (2023) | 14.1% (2024) |
| Iraq | 84.1% (2021) | 11.0% (2024) | |
| Israel | 98.5% (2024) | 62.2% (2024) | |
| Jordan | 94.4% (2024) | 91.8% (2024) | 16.0% (2024) |
| Kuwait | 96.5% (2020) | 47.3% (2024) | |
| Lebanon | 92.0% (2019) | 63.8% (2024) | 22.2% (2023) |
| Libya | 33.3% (2024) | ||
| Malta | 103.0% (2023) | 55.9% (2024) | |
| Morocco | 90.0% (2024) | 19.8% (2024) | |
| Oman | 97.3% (2022) | 95.1% (2024) | 30.1% (2024) |
| Pakistan | 58.9% (2021) | 48.3% (2024) | 24.0% (2024) |
| Qatar | 99.6% (2024) | 61.8% (2024) | |
| Saudi Arabia | 97.9% (2024) | 110.7% (2024) | 33.3% (2024) |
| Syrian Arab Republic | 94.4% (2021) | 38.7% (2024) | 12.8% (2024) |
| Tunisia | 86.3% (2023) | 26.6% (2024) | |
| United Arab Emirates | 98.8% (2024) | 102.1% (2024) | 52.5% (2024) |
| West Bank and Gaza | 97.9% (2024) | 89.1% (2023) | 18.9% (2022) |
| Yemen, Rep. | 4.7% (2024) |
About these figures
Every number on this page comes from the World Bank Open Data, with the year it was observed attached. World Bank data is released under CC BY 4.0 Retrieved 2026-11-01.
This page describes the shape of the data. It does not rank countries against each other, and it says nothing about the people who live in them — a low figure is a fact about conditions and about what the source reports, not a verdict on a population. Our editorial standard.
See it as a life
These figures are what the simulation runs on. Start a life in any of the 217 countries and watch the years play out.