India achieves 80.9% literacy rate, but gender and regional disparities still wide

Despite steady progress, India’s literacy landscape remains sharply uneven—marked by glaring gaps between states, genders, and rural-urban populations. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24, Mizoram has emerged as the most literate state in the country, with 98.2% literacy among people aged seven years and above, followed closely by Lakshadweep (97.3%), Kerala (95.3%), Tripura (93.7%), and Goa (93.6%). These figures reflect literacy among individuals aged seven years and above, a key demographic used in national education metrics.

The report, released by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, puts India’s overall literacy rate at 80.9% for the 7+ age group and 79.7% for those aged five and above. However, these national averages mask wide disparities, particularly in northern and central India.

Literacy Rate by State (Age 7+)

For the 5+ age group, the top performers remain unchanged, though with slightly lower rates. Bihar continues to rank at the bottom, reflecting deep-rooted challenges in early childhood education and access.

Literacy Rate by State (Age 5+)

Gender Gaps: Literacy Lags for Women in the Heartland

At the national level, male literacy among those aged 7+ stands at 87.2%, while female literacy trails at 74.6%, indicating a gender gap of 12.6 percentage points. This divide widens in less developed states:

These figures show that even in relatively literate states like Rajasthan, women are at a significant disadvantage. In rural areas, the gender gap is even more pronounced. For instance, rural Rajasthan shows male literacy at 83.6% and female literacy at only 61.8%.

Rural-Urban Literacy Divide

Urban India continues to outperform rural regions in terms of literacy. Nationally, urban literacy stands at 88.9%, compared to 77.5% in rural areas. The gap is most stark in central Indian states:

These figures underline the critical role that urban infrastructure and access to quality schooling play in boosting literacy.

A Mixed Bag: Literacy Rising, But Gaps Persist

The PLFS 2023-24 report shows that while India is making incremental gains in literacy, especially in high-performing regions like the Northeast and coastal states, persistent disparities in educational access remain. Regions with large tribal and rural populations, such as Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, continue to struggle with low female literacy, large rural-urban divides, and systemic challenges in schooling infrastructure.

The government’s focus on schemes like Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, NEP 2020, and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao is expected to make long-term impacts, but analysts suggest that state-specific, grassroots interventions are crucial to address deep-rooted inequalities.

As India aspires to become a knowledge economy, bridging these literacy gaps will be essential—not just for individual empowerment but for inclusive national growth.

Read the full report here