Literacy Rate: Rwanda
Rwanda's literacy rate is currently 78.8% as of 2022. # Rwanda Literacy Rate Rwanda's literacy rate reached 78.
Current (2022)
78.8%
-1.6% y/y
Peak (2020)
80.0%
Low (1978)
38.2%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1978–2022 · 8 pts
Literacy Rate — Rwanda
1978 — 2022
Literacy Rate — Rwanda
Analysis# Rwanda Literacy Rate
Rwanda's literacy rate reached 78.76% in 2022, reflecting substantial progress from its 1978 low of 38.24%—a gain of 40.52 percentage points over 44 years. The country peaked at 80.05% in 2020, placing current levels just 1.29 points below the all-time high. This represents a 106% total increase since 1978, demonstrating Rwanda's sustained commitment to educational development despite significant historical challenges.
The trajectory shows consistent growth across decades, with literacy climbing from 57.85% in 1991 to 73.22% by 2018. A notable acceleration occurred between 2014 and 2020, when the rate jumped from 70.8% to 80.05%—a six-point surge in six years. The slight 2022 dip to 78.76% suggests a potential stabilization phase rather than reversal, with Rwanda's literacy rate now firmly established near 80%, indicating strong foundational capacity for continued human capital development.
Historical Data
8 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 78.8% | -1.61% |
| 2020 | 80.0% | +9.33% |
| 2018 | 73.2% | +3.42% |
| 2014 | 70.8% | +3.61% |
| 2012 | 68.3% | +5.30% |
| 2000 | 64.9% | +12.17% |
| 1991 | 57.9% | +51.28% |
| 1978 | 38.2% | — |
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