Egypt’s Illiteracy Rates Increase in 2013: CAPMAS Report

Egypt’s illiteracy rates increased in 2013 according to figures issued Sunday by the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS).

In 2013, illiteracy rates reached 25.9 percent, with 17.2 million illiterate Egyptians, while in 2012 the rate was 24.9 percent with 16.1 million Egyptians unable to read or write, according to the agency.

From figures in this year’s report, 10.9 million women are among the total number of illiterate Egyptians in 2013.

The highest rates of illiteracy are in Upper Egypt, the report highlighted.

The agency also said that the rate of illiteracy among youth, ranging from 15 years, is 29.8 percent, while the rate among the elderly, ranging from 60 years or more, is 64.9 percent.

Among the highest rates in Upper Egypt cities, according to the report, is Fayoum with 37 percent, followed by Sohag and Minya.

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has promised Egyptians since election in June to fight against poverty, illiteracy, and to enhance educational services.

According to the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook, almost 75 percent of the world’s 775 million illiterate adults are concentrated in 10 countries, one of which is Egypt.

Source: Ahram Online