AMMAN — Jordan’s illiteracy rate has declined “significantly” over the past two decades, falling from 11.0 per cent in 2000 to 4.5 per cent in 2024, the Department of Statistics (DoS) said on Sunday.

 

The announcement coincided with International Literacy Day, observed annually on September 8, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

DoS said the results of the 2024 Labour Force Survey showed “notable” improvements in literacy across both genders, with illiteracy among males standing at 2.3 per cent, compared with 6.8 per cent among females.

 

“The downward trend in illiteracy presents an opportunity to intensify efforts aimed at narrowing the gender gap and empowering women through education,” the department said, highlighting initiatives that target vulnerable groups and promote equitable access to learning.

 

The survey also revealed that literacy rates are highest among the youth, with those aged 15–24 recording just 0.7 per cent illiteracy, a sign of the effectiveness of policies targeting younger generations. Conversely, the highest illiteracy rate was among Jordanians aged 65 and above, at 23.3 per cent, underscoring the continuing challenges of adult education.

 

Among the economically active population, illiteracy stood at 0.6 per cent for employed Jordanians aged 15 and above, and 0.5 per cent among the unemployed. For those not economically active, the rate was 6.6 per cent.

 

Literacy remains a key Sustainable Development Goal, with UNESCO supporting Jordan in its efforts to reduce adult illiteracy by 2030. Successive governments, international organizations, and local community groups have contributed to steady progress in the sector.

 

Since 1967, International Literacy Day has been observed worldwide to remind policymakers and communities of literacy’s central role in building equitable, sustainable, and peaceful societies, and to reinforce the global commitment to education for all.