Literacy Rate: Tonga
Tonga's literacy rate is currently 99.5% as of 2023. # Tonga Literacy Rate Tonga maintains an exceptionally high literacy rate of 99.
Current (2023)
99.5%
+9.3% y/y
Peak (1976)
99.6%
Low (2019)
91.0%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1976–2023 · 7 pts
Literacy Rate — Tonga
1976 — 2023
Literacy Rate — Tonga
Analysis# Tonga Literacy Rate
Tonga maintains an exceptionally high literacy rate of 99.48% as of 2023, positioning it among the world's most literate nations. This figure sits just 0.11 percentage points below the all-time peak of 99.59% recorded in 1976. Over the 47-year period from 1976 to 2023, the literacy rate has declined marginally by 0.1 percentage points, reflecting remarkable stability in educational attainment across decades.
A dramatic dip in 2019 to 91.05% represents the most significant departure from Tonga's consistently high baseline. The sharp recovery to 99.48% by 2023 suggests the 2019 decline was likely a data anomaly or methodological shift rather than a genuine collapse in literacy. The rebound indicates Tonga's education system remains robust, with the nation sustaining near-universal literacy levels.
Historical Data
7 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 99.5% | +9.26% |
| 2019 | 91.0% | -6.28% |
| 2016 | 97.2% | -2.25% |
| 2011 | 99.4% | +0.37% |
| 2006 | 99.0% | +0.11% |
| 1996 | 98.9% | -0.68% |
| 1976 | 99.6% | — |
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