Ramallah – Ma’an – The Central Bureau of Statistics reported that illiteracy rates in Palestine are among the lowest in the world (2.1% among individuals aged 15 years and over) for the year 2023, while the illiteracy rate among Palestinian individuals aged 15 years and over in the territories of 1948 reached 3.6% in the year 2017, according to data from the Galilee Society (Rakaaz).

The data indicated a significant decline in the illiteracy rate since 1997, as the illiteracy rate among the Palestinian population aged 15 years and over decreased from 13.9% in 1997 to 2.1% in 2023. This trend of decline applies to both sexes, as the rate among males decreased from 7.8% in 1997 to 1.1% in 2023, while among females it decreased from 20.3% to 3.2% for the same period.

At the regional level, the rate in the West Bank decreased from 14.1% in 1997 to 3.2% in 2023, while in the Gaza Strip it decreased from 13.7% to 1.9% for the same period.

20 illiterate men and women out of every 100 elderly people

The statistic
s indicated that the age group of 65 years and over recorded the highest illiteracy rate, while the age group (30-44 years) recorded the lowest rate. The illiteracy rate among the elderly 65 years and over reached 20.4% in 2023, and reached 2.2% for the age group (45-64 years) and 0.7% for the age group (30-44 years), while this rate among young people (15-29 years) reached 0.8% for the same year.

Rural communities recorded the highest illiteracy rate.

The statistics indicated that the illiteracy rate in rural communities reached 2.6%, 2.4% in camps, and 2.0% in urban communities in 2023.

Source: Maan News Agency