According to the statistics of the Fifth National Census in 2000, there were still in China more than 80 million illiterates at or above 15, including 20 million young and middle-aged illiterates.
Before 1980s, basic education had not been popularized in China and the long existing influence of traditional ideas made it difficult for rural women to receive education and their heavy family burden and their physiological and psychological features have resulted in more female illiterate than male ones. Female illiterates accounted for 72.7% of the total number of illiterates, and the rate of female adult illiterates was 13.4%. The gender difference between the male illiteracy rate and the female illiteracy rate has reflected the imbalance in terms of educational opportunity for men and women. It is more important that the educational level of mothers exerts great influence upon their children’s physical and mental health.
Source:ELIMINATION OF ILLITERACY: COMMON RESPONSIBILITY, Chinese National Commission for UNESCO and Chinese Association of Adult Education
| Quick Facts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Literacy rate in 2008 | Literacy rate in 2009 | |||
| 15 years above | 15-24 years | 15 years above | 15-24 years | |
| Total | 93.57 | 99.40 | 94.09 | 99.43 |
| Male | 96.72 | 99.49 | 96.92 | 99.49 |
| Female | 90.32 | 99.32 | 91.17 | 99.36 |
| Urban | 96.04 | 99.70 | 96.39 | 99.72 |
| Rural | 91.49 | 99.15 | 92.06 | 99.18 |
Source: Integrated living conditions households survey, 2009/ Population census, 2002/ UIS estimation, 2000-2004/ Population census, 1998/ Population census, 2010/ Survey of living standards, 2001&2007/ Population census, 2009/ Population census, 2000/ RMI Demographic and health survey, 2007/ Demographic and health survey (final report), 2007/ Demographic and health survey, 2006-2007/ MDG Report, 2006/ Population census (UIS) & estimation from UN population, 1979 and National risk and vulnerability assessment, 2007-2008/ Living standard survey, 2003