Literacy Rate: Iraq

Analysis# Iraq Literacy Rate Iraq's literacy rate reached 84.065% in 2021, representing substantial progress from the 74.05% recorded in 2000—a gain of 13.5 percentage points over two decades. The nation peaked at 85.6% in 2017, slightly above current levels. This upward trajectory reflects Iraq's sustained commitment to educational expansion despite significant regional challenges during this period. The most dramatic improvement occurred between 2012 and 2017, when the literacy rate jumped from 77.2% to 85.6%—an 8.4-point surge in just five years. A minor decline from the 2017 peak to 2021 suggests potential headwinds in maintaining gains, though the current rate remains well above historical baselines. Continued investment in education infrastructure will be essential for Iraq to recover toward its 2017 high and sustain long-term literacy growth.