Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in improving literacy rates over the past decades. As we analyze the 2025 literacy data, significant gaps between male and female literacy persist, though narrowing.
This in-depth report covers:
✔️ Current literacy rates (male vs female)
✔️ Regional disparities
✔️ Government initiatives boosting education
✔️ Challenges & future projections
Bangladesh Literacy Rate 2025: Key Statistics
Overall Literacy Rate
- 2025 National Average: 76.8% (up from 74.7% in 2022)
- Global Ranking: 109th (out of 191 countries)
Gender-Wise Breakdown
| Category | Literacy Rate (2025) | Growth Since 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Male Literacy | 79.5% | +2.1% |
| Female Literacy | 74.1% | +3.3% |
Key Takeaway:
- The gender gap has reduced from 7.2% (2022) to 5.4% (2025).
- Female literacy is growing 1.5x faster than male literacy.
Regional Disparities in Literacy (2025)
Division-Wise Comparison
| Division | Male Literacy | Female Literacy | Gender Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaka | 83.2% | 79.5% | 3.7% |
| Chattogram | 80.1% | 75.8% | 4.3% |
| Khulna | 78.9% | 74.2% | 4.7% |
| Rajshahi | 77.3% | 72.1% | 5.2% |
| Sylhet | 75.5% | 68.9% | 6.6% |
| Barishal | 76.8% | 70.4% | 6.4% |
| Rangpur | 74.1% | 67.3% | 6.8% |
Observations:
- Dhaka leads in both male & female literacy.
- Sylhet & Rangpur lag, especially for women.
Urban vs Rural Literacy
- Urban Male: 85.3%
- Urban Female: 82.1%
- Rural Male: 75.8%
- Rural Female: 69.4%
Issue: Rural women are 15.9% behind urban men.
Why is Female Literacy Rising Faster? (2025 Analysis)
1. Government & NGO Initiatives
- Stipend Programs: 40% female students receive financial aid (vs 25% males).
- Digital Education: Free tablets & online classes boosted rural girls’ access.
2. Changing Social Attitudes
- Decline in child marriage (from 59% in 2015 to 42% in 2025).
- More female teachers (now 53% of primary educators).
3. Economic Factors
- Garment industry jobs incentivize girls to complete secondary school.
Challenges in Achieving 100% Literacy
1. Poverty & Child Labor
- 1.2 million children (mostly boys) work instead of attending school.
2. Quality of Education
- 35% of rural schools lack trained teachers.
3. Climate Vulnerabilities
- Floods & cyclones disrupt education in coastal regions.
Future Projections (2030 Targets)
- National Target: 82% literacy by 2030.
- Female Literacy Goal: 80%+ (to close gender gap).
Strategies:
✔️ Mobile schools for flood-prone areas
✔️ Vocational training for adult illiterates
✔️ AI-based learning apps in regional languages
Conclusion
Bangladesh’s 2025 literacy data shows promising progress, especially for women. While Dhaka leads, Sylhet & Rangpur need focused efforts. With continued investment in digital education & poverty reduction, Bangladesh can achieve 90%+ literacy by 2035.
FAQs on Bangladesh Literacy Rate 2025
Q1. Which district has the highest female literacy?
A: Dhaka City (83.5%), followed by Gazipur.
Q2. Why is male literacy higher?
A: Historic gender bias + boys prioritized for paid work.
Q3. How does Bangladesh compare to neighbors?
A: Ahead of Pakistan (62%) but behind Sri Lanka (92%).
Q4. What’s the adult literacy rate?
A: 68% for ages 35+ (vs 89% for ages 15-24).
Q5. Which NGO helps most with literacy?
A: BRAC educates 1.2 million annually.