Literacy rate in Bangladesh stands at 77.9 percent

'International Literacy Day 2026' is being observed today, Tuesday, with due dignity in Bangladesh, alongside the rest of the world.

UNESCO has set the theme for this year's International Literacy Day as 'Literacy for People, Planet and Prosperity'.

The theme emphasises establishing literacy not merely as the basic ability to read, write and calculate, but as a foundation for holistic human development, environmental responsibility and sustainable economic prosperity.

The President and the Prime Minister have issued separate messages on the occasion.

According to the Economic Survey 2025, the literacy rate in Bangladesh is 77.9 percent.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education said Bangladesh has achieved significant progress in literacy expansion, which is highly encouraging. However, a significant portion of the population still remains outside the scope of desired education and skills.

The government's current priority is to bring out-of-school and dropout children, marginalised communities and education-deprived adults beyond the traditional scope of alphabet learning—into practical literacy, technical skills and pre-vocational education.

Article 17 of the Constitution commits the state to providing universal, free and compulsory education and eliminating illiteracy. The current government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has undertaken multifaceted programmes to bring the education-deprived population into the mainstream through non-formal education, adult education, life skills and vocational training, alongside primary education.

Various programmes have been taken up by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education at central and field levels to mark the day. As part of the central programme, a discussion meeting and 'Non-Formal Education Award' ceremony will be held at the Bureau of Non-Formal Education auditorium in the capital in the morning.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj will be present as chief guest at the event. Prime Minister's Adviser on Education and Primary and Mass Education Mahdi Amin will be present as special guest. Representatives of UNESCO in Bangladesh will also speak at the event.