According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the global literacy rate in 2016 was 86.3%, up from 76% in 1990. This means that 86.3% of the world's population aged 15 and older can read and write. The literacy rate varies considerably between countries, from 99.9% in Finland to 35.2% in Niger.
Here is a table showing the literacy rates of the top 10 countries in the world:
| Country | Literacy Rate |
| -------- | ---------------:|
| Finland | 99.9% |
| Japan | 99.0% |
| Cuba | 99.8% |
| Canada | 99.7% |
| Australia| 99.8% |
| New Zealand | 99.8% |
| Norway | 99.7% |
| Iceland | 99.9% |
| Sweden | 99.7% |
| Denmark | 99.7% |
The literacy rate is an important indicator of a country's development. A higher literacy rate is associated with a number of positive outcomes, including improved economic growth, reduced poverty, and better health. Education is essential for personal development and for the progress of society as a whole.