Child Equity Atlas - BIDS

Literacy, School Attendance and Educational Attainment
Female adult literacy levels are higher in Khulna,
Barisal, and Chittagong than in Rajshahi, Rangpur,
Sylhet, and Chittagong divisions. Dhaka division
combines a mix of the best and worst performance
in female adult literacy (see chapter six). Table 3.1
lists the five best and five worst districts in female
adult literacy levels, compared to the national
average.
Table 3.1: Female adult (15 years and
above) literacy rate: Best and worst districts,
Bangladesh 2011
Srl.
Best districts
Worst districts
District % District %
1. Dhaka 69.2 Bandarban 29.3
2. Jhalokati 66.8 Sunamganj 32.4
3. Pirojpur 65.9 Jamalpur 32.6
4. Barisal 61.7 Sherpur 32.6
5. Feni 60.8 Netrakona 35.5
Bangladesh: 49.2%
3.3 Youth Literacy
3.3.1 Youth literacy (15-24 years) rate in
Bangladesh has increased to 75.4 per cent in
2011 from 63.6 per cent in 2001, a 12 percentage
point increase over the past decade. Like
the adult literacy rate, there are significant
variations in youth literacy rate between regions
of the country. As presented in Map 3.6, the
rates in Khulna, Barisal and parts of Dhaka and
Chittagong divisions represent better levels
of youth literacy, compared to other upazilas
(sub-districts) in the northern, north-eastern
and south-eastern parts of the country such as
Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Sylhet divisions. Data
show similarities in the patterns of adult and
youth literacy rates in some parts of the country
(Maps 3.2 and 3.5). Table 3.2 gives the list of best
and worst districts in terms of youth literacy
rates in the country.
Photo : UNICEF /Khan
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