11 answers, 4 from Iran's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
88.9% of people aged 15 and over in Iran could read and write in 2023, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO data. The rate for women was 85.1%, according to the World Bank.
Adult literacy has risen from 87.9% in 2020. The gap between women and men has narrowed slowly. The figures come from population surveys and measure basic reading and writing, not comprehension.
Government spending on education in Iran was 2.82% of GDP in 2023, up from 2.67% in 2022, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO data. It was 3.24% in 2019.
The figure covers spending on all levels of education by government, not spending by families. International benchmarks suggest 4% to 6% of GDP. Because it is a share of GDP, it also moves with the size of the economy.
The primary completion rate in Iran was 97.4% in 2023, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO Institute for Statistics data. Gross enrolment in secondary school was 85.1%, according to the World Bank.
The completion rate compares the number of pupils entering the last grade of primary school with the number of children of that age, so it is an approximate measure. Secondary enrolment has risen from 82.8% in 2017.
Gross enrolment in tertiary education in Iran was 58.7% in 2022, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO Institute for Statistics data. For women it was 59.1%, according to the World Bank.
The rate compares the number of students in universities and colleges with the population in the five-year age group after secondary school. Women enrol at a slightly higher rate than the total, but only 14.0% of women were in the labour force in 2025, according to the World Bank.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts net primary school enrolment in Iran at 99.7% in 2017. The peak was 99.7% in 2016 and the low 95.1% in 2007. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 95.2%; Iran is 1st highest of 15. World rank, highest first: 4th of 134.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2023, is 85.1%. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 85.6%; its low point was 2005, at 74.4%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 89.9%, and Iran placed 9th highest of 14. Worldwide: 98th of 138.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2022, is 58.7%. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 70.7%; its low point was 2005, at 22.7%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 51.8%, and Iran placed 5th highest of 14. Of 119 countries with 2022 data, 53rd highest.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the adult literacy rate in Iran was 88.9% in 2023. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 94.8%, and Iran placed 4th highest of 5. Worldwide: 21st of 33.
In 2023, government spending on education in Iran was 2.8% of GDP, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 4.6% of GDP; its low point was 2014, at 2.6% of GDP. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 4.0% of GDP; Iran is 7th highest of 10. Of 112 countries with 2023 data, 82nd highest.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2017, is 29. That is the highest since at least 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 19; Iran is 4th highest of 16. Of 130 countries with 2017 data, 30th highest.
In 2023, the primary completion rate in Iran was 97.4%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The peak was 109.3% in 2005 and the low 93.6% in 2007. It is 4th highest of 14 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 95.4%. Of 131 countries with 2023 data, 52nd highest.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error