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Education > Literacy Stats: compare key data on China & Singapore

Definitions

  • Adult literacy: Adult literacy rate (%).
  • Definition: This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of our source. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measure of educational results, is probably the most easily available and valid for international comparisons.
  • Female: This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of our source. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measure of educational results, is probably the most easily available and valid for international comparisons.
  • Female illiterates > Aged over 15: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence.
  • Female literates > Aged over 15 per thousand people: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Female literates > Aged over 85: Number of females older than 85 years, who are literate.
  • Illiterates > Aged over 15: Compares countries by number of illiterates individuals aged over 15. The data was gathered by the United Nations Statistics Division, whose self-declared mission is to compile and disseminate global statistical information, develop standards and norms for statistical activities, and support countries’ efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems
  • Literates > Aged over 15: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence.
  • Literates > Aged over 65: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence.
  • Literates > Aged over 65 per thousand people: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Male: This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of our source. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measure of educational results, is probably the most easily available and valid for international comparisons.
  • Male literates > Aged over 15: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence.
  • Men above 14 years: Percent of male population above the age of 14 years that is literate.
  • Total population: This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of our source. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measure of educational results, is probably the most easily available and valid for international comparisons.
  • Women above 14 years: Percent of female population above the age of 14 years that is literate.
  • Male literates > Aged over 85 per thousand people: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Illiterates > Aged over 65: Compares countries by number of illiterate individuals aged over 65. The data was gathered by the United Nations Statistics Division, whose self-declared mission is to compile and disseminate global statistical information, develop standards and norms for statistical activities, and support countries’ efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems
  • Illiterates > Aged over 85: Compares countries by number of illiterate individuals aged over 85. The data was gathered by the United Nations Statistics Division, whose self-declared mission is to compile and disseminate global statistical information, develop standards and norms for statistical activities, and support countries’ efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems
  • Literates > Aged over 15 per thousand people: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Male illiterates > Aged over 65: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence.
  • Ratio of young literate females to males > % ages 15-24: Ratio of young literate females to males (% ages 15-24). Gender parity index for youth literacy rate is the ratio of female youth literacy rate to male youth literacy rate. It is calculated by dividing the female value for the indicator by the male value for the indicator. A GPI equal to 1 indicates parity between females and males. In general, a value less than 1 indicates disparity in favor of males and a value greater than 1 indicates disparity in favor of females.
  • Literacy rate, adult total > % of people ages 15 and above: Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above). Adult (15+) literacy rate (%). Total is the percentage of the population age 15 and above who can, with understanding, read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life. Generally, u2018literacyu2019 also encompasses u2018numeracyu2019, the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations. This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of literates aged 15 years and over by the corresponding age group population and multiplying the result by 100.
  • Female illiterates > Aged over 65: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence.
  • Male illiterates > Aged over 15 per thousand people: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Female literates > Aged over 65 per thousand people: Number of females older than 65 years, who are literate. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Male literates > Aged over 65 per thousand people: Compares countries by number of illiterate individuals aged over 65. The data was gathered by the United Nations Statistics Division, whose self-declared mission is to compile and disseminate global statistical information, develop standards and norms for statistical activities, and support countries’ efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Female literates > Aged over 85 per thousand people: Number of females older than 85 years, who are literate. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Female illiterates > Aged over 85 per thousand people: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Male illiterates > Aged over 65 per thousand people: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Literates > Aged over 85: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence.
  • Female literates > Aged over 65: Number of females older than 65 years, who are literate.
  • Literacy rate, youth female > % of females ages 15-24: Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15-24). Youth (15-24) literacy rate (%). Female is the number of females age 15 to 24 years who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life, divided by the female population in that age group. Generally, u2018literacyu2019 also encompasses u2018numeracyu2019, the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations.
  • Literacy rate, adult female > % of females ages 15 and above: Literacy rate, adult female (% of females ages 15 and above). Adult (15+) literacy rate (%). Female is the percentage of females age 15 and above who can, with understanding, read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life. Generally, u2018literacyu2019 also encompasses u2018numeracyu2019, the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations. This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of female literates aged 15 years and over by the corresponding age group population and multiplying the result by 100.
  • Literacy rate, adult male > % of males ages 15 and above: Literacy rate, adult male (% of males ages 15 and above). Adult (15+) literacy rate (%). Male is the percentage of males age 15 and above who can, with understanding, read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life. Generally, u2018literacyu2019 also encompasses u2018numeracyu2019, the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations. This indicator is calculated by dividing the number of male literates aged 15 years and over by the corresponding age group population and multiplying the result by 100.
  • Male literates > Aged over 65: Compares countries by number of illiterate individuals aged over 65. The data was gathered by the United Nations Statistics Division, whose self-declared mission is to compile and disseminate global statistical information, develop standards and norms for statistical activities, and support countries’ efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems
  • Literacy rate, youth total > % of people ages 15-24: Literacy rate, youth total (% of people ages 15-24). Youth (15-24) literacy rate (%). Total is the number of people age 15 to 24 years who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life, divided by the population in that age group. Generally, u2018literacyu2019 also encompasses u2018numeracyu2019, the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations.
  • Male literates > Aged over 85: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence.
  • Male illiterates > Aged over 85 per thousand people: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Illiterates > Aged over 15 per thousand people: Compares countries by number of illiterates individuals aged over 15. The data was gathered by the United Nations Statistics Division, whose self-declared mission is to compile and disseminate global statistical information, develop standards and norms for statistical activities, and support countries’ efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Illiterates > Aged over 85 per thousand people: Compares countries by number of illiterate individuals aged over 85. The data was gathered by the United Nations Statistics Division, whose self-declared mission is to compile and disseminate global statistical information, develop standards and norms for statistical activities, and support countries’ efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Male illiterates > Aged over 85: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence.
  • Female literates > Aged over 15: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence.
  • Literacy rate, youth male > % of males ages 15-24: Literacy rate, youth male (% of males ages 15-24). Youth (15-24) literacy rate (%). Male is the number of males age 15 to 24 years who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life, divided by the male population in that age group. Generally, u2018literacyu2019 also encompasses u2018numeracyu2019, the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations.
  • Male illiterates > Aged over 15: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence.
  • Male literates > Aged over 15 per thousand people: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Female illiterates > Aged over 15 per thousand people: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Illiterates > Aged over 65 per thousand people: Compares countries by number of illiterate individuals aged over 65. The data was gathered by the United Nations Statistics Division, whose self-declared mission is to compile and disseminate global statistical information, develop standards and norms for statistical activities, and support countries’ efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Female illiterates > Aged over 85: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence.
  • Literates > Aged over 85 per thousand people: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
  • Female illiterates > Aged over 65 per thousand people: Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
STAT China Singapore HISTORY
Adult literacy 93.3%
Ranked 44th.
94.4%
Ranked 37th. 1% more than China

Definition age 15 and over can read and write age 15 and over can read and write
Female 87.6%
Ranked 2nd.
89.7%
Ranked 75th. 2% more than China

Female illiterates > Aged over 15 63.2 million
Ranked 1st. 639 times more than Singapore
98,875
Ranked 1st.

Female literates > Aged over 15 per thousand people 321.47
Ranked 1st. 10% more than Singapore
293.39
Ranked 1st.

Female literates > Aged over 85 1.83 million
Ranked 1st. 242 times more than Singapore
7,572
Ranked 2nd.
Illiterates > Aged over 15 86.99 million
Ranked 1st. 676 times more than Singapore
128,661
Ranked 1st.

Literates > Aged over 15 871.09 million
Ranked 1st. 293 times more than Singapore
2.98 million
Ranked 1st.

Literates > Aged over 65 45.69 million
Ranked 1st. 328 times more than Singapore
139,521
Ranked 3rd.
Literates > Aged over 65 per thousand people 36.19
Ranked 1st. 4% more than Singapore
34.64
Ranked 2nd.
Male 95.7%
Ranked 2nd.
96.7%
Ranked 53th. 1% more than China

Male literates > Aged over 15 465.19 million
Ranked 1st. 313 times more than Singapore
1.49 million
Ranked 1st.

Men above 14 years 95.1%
Ranked 8th. The same as Singapore
95.1%
Ranked 2nd.
Total population 91.6%
Ranked 2nd.
93.2%
Ranked 68th. 2% more than China

Women above 14 years 86.5%
Ranked 14th. 4% more than Singapore
83%
Ranked 7th.
Male literates > Aged over 85 per thousand people 1.52
Ranked 1st. 5% more than Singapore
1.45
Ranked 2nd.
Illiterates > Aged over 65 42.58 million
Ranked 1st. 464 times more than Singapore
91,813
Ranked 3rd.
Illiterates > Aged over 85 3.76 million
Ranked 1st. 285 times more than Singapore
13,158
Ranked 2nd.
Literates > Aged over 15 per thousand people 689.9
Ranked 1st. 18% more than Singapore
586.42
Ranked 2nd.

Male illiterates > Aged over 65 12.1 million
Ranked 1st. 764 times more than Singapore
15,841
Ranked 3rd.
Ratio of young literate females to males > % ages 15-24 99.9%
Ranked 21st.
100.03%
Ranked 19th. About the same as China

Literacy rate, adult total > % of people ages 15 and above 95.12%
Ranked 7th.
95.86%
Ranked 6th. 1% more than China

Female illiterates > Aged over 65 30.48 million
Ranked 1st. 401 times more than Singapore
75,972
Ranked 3rd.
Male illiterates > Aged over 15 per thousand people 18.84
Ranked 2nd. 3 times more than Singapore
5.87
Ranked 2nd.

Female literates > Aged over 65 per thousand people 12.74
Ranked 3rd.
13.2
Ranked 2nd. 4% more than China
Male literates > Aged over 65 per thousand people 23.45
Ranked 1st. 9% more than Singapore
21.44
Ranked 2nd.
Female literates > Aged over 85 per thousand people 1.37
Ranked 2nd.
1.49
Ranked 1st. 9% more than China
Female illiterates > Aged over 85 per thousand people 2.19
Ranked 2nd.
2.26
Ranked 1st. 3% more than China
Male illiterates > Aged over 65 per thousand people 9.58
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than Singapore
3.93
Ranked 3rd.
Literates > Aged over 85 3.86 million
Ranked 1st. 259 times more than Singapore
14,914
Ranked 2nd.
Female literates > Aged over 65 16.08 million
Ranked 1st. 303 times more than Singapore
53,167
Ranked 3rd.
Literacy rate, youth female > % of females ages 15-24 99.59%
Ranked 4th.
99.77%
Ranked 1st. About the same as China

Literacy rate, adult female > % of females ages 15 and above 92.71%
Ranked 11th.
93.77%
Ranked 7th. 1% more than China

Literacy rate, adult male > % of males ages 15 and above 97.48%
Ranked 5th.
98.04%
Ranked 3rd. 1% more than China

Male literates > Aged over 65 29.61 million
Ranked 1st. 343 times more than Singapore
86,354
Ranked 3rd.
Literacy rate, youth total > % of people ages 15-24 99.64%
Ranked 3rd.
99.75%
Ranked 1st. About the same as China

Male literates > Aged over 85 2.03 million
Ranked 1st. 277 times more than Singapore
7,342
Ranked 2nd.
Male illiterates > Aged over 85 per thousand people 0.618
Ranked 1st. 87% more than Singapore
0.331
Ranked 2nd.
Illiterates > Aged over 15 per thousand people 68.9
Ranked 2nd. 3 times more than Singapore
25.34
Ranked 2nd.

Illiterates > Aged over 85 per thousand people 2.81
Ranked 1st. 8% more than Singapore
2.59
Ranked 2nd.
Male illiterates > Aged over 85 827,086
Ranked 1st. 492 times more than Singapore
1,682
Ranked 2nd.
Female literates > Aged over 15 405.9 million
Ranked 1st. 273 times more than Singapore
1.49 million
Ranked 1st.

Literacy rate, youth male > % of males ages 15-24 99.69%
Ranked 2nd.
99.74%
Ranked 1st. The same as China

Male illiterates > Aged over 15 23.79 million
Ranked 1st. 799 times more than Singapore
29,785
Ranked 1st.

Male literates > Aged over 15 per thousand people 368.43
Ranked 1st. 26% more than Singapore
293.03
Ranked 2nd.

Female illiterates > Aged over 15 per thousand people 50.06
Ranked 2nd. 3 times more than Singapore
19.48
Ranked 2nd.

Illiterates > Aged over 65 per thousand people 33.72
Ranked 1st. 48% more than Singapore
22.79
Ranked 2nd.
Female illiterates > Aged over 85 2.93 million
Ranked 1st. 255 times more than Singapore
11,475
Ranked 2nd.
Literates > Aged over 85 per thousand people 2.89
Ranked 2nd.
2.94
Ranked 1st. 2% more than China
Female illiterates > Aged over 65 per thousand people 24.14
Ranked 1st. 28% more than Singapore
18.86
Ranked 2nd.

SOURCES: World Health Organization. Source tables; CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; United Nations Statistics Division. Source tables; United Nations Statistics Division. Source tables. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Source tables. Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence; United Nations Statistics Division.  Population table by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence; http://data.un.org/Data.aspx?d=GenderStat&f=inID%3a49, Adult literacy rate; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Source tables. Population by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; United Nations Statistics Division.  Population table by literacy, age, sex and urban/rural residence. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.

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