Literacy Rate: Madagascar

Analysis# Madagascar Literacy Rate Madagascar's literacy rate stood at 74.69% in 2021, representing a notable 5.7 percentage point increase since 2000 when it measured 70.69%. The country reached its highest recorded level at 76.68% in 2018, demonstrating substantial progress in educational attainment over two decades. Despite recent decline from the 2018 peak, the current figure remains well above historical lows and reflects a long-term upward trajectory in literacy across the nation. Growth accelerated markedly between 2012 and 2018, when the literacy rate jumped 5.11 percentage points. The slight decline to 74.69% by 2021 suggests potential headwinds, whether from economic disruption, educational access challenges, or demographic shifts. Sustained improvement will require monitoring whether the 2021 decrease signals a temporary fluctuation or the beginning of a concerning downward trend.