The provided chart compares the estimated proportions of people who are unable to read and write across six world regions, with figures presented separately for men and women in the previous year.
Overall, women consistently recorded higher illiteracy rates than men in all regions. The highest proportions of illiterate individuals were found in South Asia, while the lowest rates were seen in Developed Countries.
South Asia showed the most severe literacy levels among the six regions, with more than half of women and roughly one-third of men unable to read or write. The Arab States also reported relatively high figures, followed by Sub-Saharan Africa, both of which demonstrated a similar pattern in which female illiteracy was substantially higher than that of males.
Meanwhile, East Asia and Latin America/Caribbean experienced more moderate rates. In these regions, illiteracy affected around one-fifth of women and roughly one-tenth of men. Developed Countries, by comparison, had the smallest proportion of illiterate people, with less than 5% for both genders.
Thus, the chart highlights clear regional differences, alongside a consistent gender gap in literacy, with women disproportionately affected across all areas.