The given bar chart illustrates estimated world illiteracy rates by region and sex in 2000. Overall, female illiteracy rates were higher than male rates across all regions. Another striking point is that South Asia had the highest value, while the other mentioned developed countries had the lowest.
Turning to the details, as regards male, South Asia was ranked first with around 33%, while East Asia/Oceania made up approximately 8%. The figure of Sub-Saharan Africa was a little higher than that of Arab States, at 30% compared to just under 29%. Alternatively, in Latin America/Caribbean, the rate accounted for 10%, as opposed to developed countries, which witnessed the lowest illiteracy rate, at about 1%.
With respect to females, the percentage of the population lacking fundamental skills in developed countries was still the lowest with around 2%. East Asia/Oceania was nearly double the figure recorded for Latin America/Caribbean, at 20% and just under 12% respectively. The rate in Sub-Saharan Africa was almost as high as the Arab States, at roughly 48% and about 52% in turn. South Asia recorded the highest proportion, at approximately 55%, which was by far higher than the male rate in the same region.