India vs South Korea: Adult Literacy Rate Comparison

Compare Adult Literacy Rate (% of People Aged 15+) of India and South Korea over time using official World Bank Open Data.

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2024, South Korea recorded Adult Literacy Rate (% of People Aged 15+) of 98.0% vs 78.2% for India (South Korea's Adult Literacy Rate is 19.8% higher than India's.).

🇮🇳 India
78.2%
Latest Value
🇰🇷 South Korea
98.0%
Latest Value
⚖️ Difference / Gap
19.8%
Latest Year: 2024
Adult Literacy Rate (% of People Aged 15+)
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2000 2025
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India vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1981 – 2024)

Complete annual observations of Adult Literacy Rate (% of People Aged 15+) for India and South Korea reported by World Bank.

Year 🇮🇳 India Adult Literacy Rate 🇰🇷 South Korea Adult Literacy Rate Difference / Gap
2024 78.2% No data
2023 81.7% No data
2022 76.3% No data
2021 76.1% No data
2020 75.5% No data
2019 74.9% No data
2018 73.7% No data
2012 69.8% No data
2011 69.3% No data
2010 68.3% No data
2008 No data 98.0%
2006 62.8% No data
2001 61.0% No data
1991 48.2% No data
1981 40.8% No data

Adult Literacy Rate Comparison

Current Leader: In 2024, South Korea recorded Adult Literacy Rate of 98.0%, while India recorded 78.2%, a difference of 19.8%.

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1960 to 2024, India and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1960, India recorded N/A compared to N/A for South Korea. By 2024, the values evolved to 78.2% and 98.0% respectively.

Key Differences

Absolute Gap: Difference in 2024 is 19.8%.
Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 98.0% (South Korea in 2024).
Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, India achieved stable performance, while South Korea achieved stable performance.

About Adult Literacy Rate (% of People Aged 15+)

Percentage of population age 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement.

This comparison uses standardized data from World Bank Open Data. Historical records allow analysts to trace long-term development trajectories for India and South Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions — Adult Literacy Rate

What is the Adult Literacy Rate of India?

In 2024, India's Adult Literacy Rate was 78.2% according to official World Bank data.

What is the Adult Literacy Rate of South Korea?

In 2008, South Korea's Adult Literacy Rate was 98.0% according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Adult Literacy Rate?

In 2024, South Korea recorded a higher Adult Literacy Rate of 98.0% compared to India's 78.2% (a difference of 19.8%).

How has Adult Literacy Rate changed over time for India and South Korea?

From 1960 to 2024, India's Adult Literacy Rate changed by the amount detailed in the annual table, while South Korea's changed by the amount detailed in the annual table.

Explore India vs South Korea Interactively

Use TradeSeekho Growth Explorer to customize time ranges, play animated timeline visualizations, and compare India and South Korea across Population, Health, Education, and Technology metrics.

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Data Source and Methodology

Source: World Bank Open Data. Indicator Code: SE.ADT.LITR.ZS (Adult Literacy Rate (% of People Aged 15+)). Values represent annual adult literacy rate (% of people aged 15+) for India and South Korea from 1960 through 2024. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.