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Global Literacy Rate Hits All-Time High as Education Initiatives Bear Fruit

UNESCO reports that 95% of the world's youth can now read and write — the highest rate in human history.

Sofia Amari·Saturday, February 14, 2026·
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Global Literacy Rate Hits All-Time High as Education Initiatives Bear Fruit
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced that global youth literacy has reached an unprecedented 95%, marking a historic milestone in human development.\n\nThe achievement is the result of decades of investment in education infrastructure, teacher training, and innovative programs that bring learning to remote communities through mobile technology.\n\n"Every percentage point represents millions of young people who can now read, write, and participate fully in society," said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.\n\nParticularly notable progress has been made in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where literacy rates have increased by over 20 percentage points in the past decade alone.

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