Lakshadweep tops, Bihar trails as India posts 80.9% literacy. But gaps by gender and region persist

India has recorded an overall literacy rate of 80.9% for persons aged seven years and above, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24 released by the National Sample Survey Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

The data, based on a nationally representative sample, shows continued progress in literacy rates across most regions, but also reveals persistent gaps across gender lines and between rural and urban populations.

Among States and Union Territories, Lakshadweep (97.3%), Kerala (95.3%), Tripura (93.7%), and Goa (93.6%) reported the highest literacy rates for the 7+ age group. These regions have consistently ranked among India’s best performers in education outcomes.

At the other end of the spectrum, Bihar (74.3%), Madhya Pradesh (75.2%), and Rajasthan (75.8%) recorded the lowest literacy levels for persons aged seven and above. The pattern remained consistent in the 5+ age group, with Bihar at the bottom (73.2%), followed by Madhya Pradesh (73.7%) and Rajasthan (74.9%).

Stark gender divide persists

The national male literacy rate stood at 87.2% for the 7+ population, while female literacy was 74.6%, resulting in a gender gap of 12.6 percentage points.

Rajasthan had the widest gender literacy gap at 20.1 percentage points—with male literacy at 85.9% and female literacy at just 65.8%. Bihar and Madhya Pradesh followed closely, with gaps of 16.2% and 16.1% respectively.

The disparities are even sharper in rural areas. In rural Rajasthan, male literacy was 83.6% compared to 61.8% for females. Rural Bihar reported 81.5% literacy for males and only 65% for females. Rural Madhya Pradesh recorded 80% literacy for males and 62.6% for females.

In contrast, better-performing states show narrower gender gaps. For instance, Mizoram recorded male and female literacy at 99.2% and 97% respectively, while Kerala posted 96.7% for males and 94% for females.

Urban-rural divide remains wide

The survey also reveals a continued urban-rural literacy divide. Urban India reported a literacy rate of 88.9% for persons aged 7+, while rural areas lagged behind at 77.5%.

In Madhya Pradesh, the urban literacy rate was 85.7% compared to 71.6% in rural areas—a gap of over 14 percentage points. Similar disparities were seen in Bihar (83.2% urban vs 72.1% rural) and Rajasthan (84.7% urban vs 72.5% rural).

These urban-rural differences are particularly pronounced in northern and central Indian states, many of which also have significant tribal and underserved populations.

Gains noted, but disparities remain

While the PLFS 2023-24 underlines improvements in national literacy rates, the findings also reinforce long-standing concerns about regional, gender, and socioeconomic inequalities in access to education.

The literacy rate for persons aged five years and above was 79.7% nationally. In this group, male literacy stood at 85.6% and female literacy at 73.7%, mirroring the gap seen in older age brackets.

The report’s detailed disaggregation of data across states, gender, and rural-urban segments makes clear that literacy progress in India is uneven.

(With inputs from ToI)