The table presents the estimated literacy rates for different world regions between 2000 and 2004, divided into total, male, and female populations. Overall, developed regions had much higher literacy levels than developing ones, and in every region, men were more literate than women.
Europe had the highest literacy rate, with 98.8% of people able to read and write. Male and female literacy levels there were almost the same, at 99.2% and 98.5% respectively. Oceania and the Americas also showed high rates, each recording above 93% for the total population.
By contrast, Africa had the lowest literacy level, at only 62.5%. The gender gap was largest in this region: 71.6% of men were literate compared to only 53.9% of women. Asia showed a moderate literacy rate of 79.3%, and although male literacy (85.9%) was much higher than female literacy (72.5%), the difference was smaller than in Africa.
Globally, the total literacy rate was 82.2%, with men achieving 87.2% and women 77.3%.
In summary, literacy levels were highest in more developed regions, while Africa lagged far behind. In addition, males consistently outperformed females in every part of the world.