Literacy Rate: Mali

Analysis# Mali Literacy Rate Mali's literacy rate stands at 35.63% in 2024, representing both a significant achievement and an ongoing challenge. Since 1976, when the rate was 9.43%, Mali has improved by 277.8%—a substantial gain over nearly five decades. The current 35.63% marks the country's all-time peak, yet nearly two-thirds of Mali's population remains illiterate, placing it among the world's lowest literacy rates. Progress accelerated between 1976 and 2010, when the rate climbed from 9.43% to 31.1%. The pace slowed considerably after 2010, with growth of only 4.53 percentage points over the following 14 years. This deceleration suggests that Mali faces mounting obstacles in expanding literacy access, likely tied to infrastructure constraints, conflict, and economic limitations. Sustaining momentum will require sustained investment in education infrastructure and stability.