No matter what business you plan to choose, there is one basic requirement for every business to flourish, and that is undoubtedly, Knowledge and education. While you are here searching for some good earning opportunities, it is important to realize how important a high literacy rate is, especially when a secure future is what you really want. We always recommend our readers to learn from the mistakes of the suffering ones to get an Idea how worst things can be, if priorities are not formulated correctly.
Here are 10 most illiterate countries that are suffering through bad economy, and weak business because of the lack on education. Have a look.
1. Niger
Adult Illiteracy rate: 84.3%
Niger is a land lock country that is under development and last year was ranked 186 out of 187 by UNHDI. The country has poor infrastructure, deserted land mainly suffering from droughts, poverty and poor hygiene conditions. Nominal GDP per capita is $399. Primary school education for children is substantial but attendance and enrollments rate are really low, particularly for girls. IN 1996 the gross enrollment rate was 24.5% out of which only 60% were boys who completed the school. The children are mainly forced to work during planting and harvesting period and many do not even have access to school.
2.Burkina Faso
Adult Illiteracy rate: 77%
It is a West African country with a population of 15, 730,100 and with a nominal GDP per capita of $664. Every year the schooling cost above $97 which many families could not afford. The boys are preferred over the girls and so the literacy rate for girls was far lower than males. Currently due to government change in policies regarding establishment of cheaper schools for girls and granting more scholarships to them is helping in educating girls. There are few private colleges which only small portion of families can manage. The illiteracy rate has increased from 12.8% 25.3% from 1990 to 2008.
3. Afghanistan
Adult illiteracy rate: 63.7%
It is in the circle of South Asian countries and after the decades of war it is the largest producer of refugees, camouflage for seekers and its educations system has been completely destroyed since 2001 where new initiatives were considered again towards education and then on more than 5000 schools were rebuilt and teachers were trained and now around seven million students are attending schools. In2006 and American University was establish to provide world class education and by 2011, 82,000 enrolled in international universities where as still literacy rate for female is as low as 10% in Afghanistan.
4. Sierra Leone
Adult illiteracy rate: 63.7%
once more the West African country who is major economy depends upon mining diamond, and is the most religiously tolerant nation in the world. But from 1991-2001 the Civil war has destroyed everything in the country even 1.20 primary schools were destroyed and by 2001 67% of all school age students had no school. It is compulsory to have 6 years free primary education but due to shortage of schools and teachers two third of adult population of country is illiterate. The country has only three universities.
5. Gambia
Adult Illiteracy rate: 63.5%
The smallest country of West Africa mainly depends upon agriculture, fishing and tourism and about two-third of population lives below international poverty line as they only have US$1.25 a day. According to rules the primary education is free for six years and compulsory but due to short of schools and teachers the rule cannot be implemented. But due to poverty and cultural effects the girls has lowest literacy rate in the country.
6. Guinea- Bissau
Adult illiteracy rate: 63.2%
Guinea, a West African country where only 14% of people speak Portuguese, the official language and 44% speaks Kriol. It has the lowest GDP per –capita in the world. The country has high number of child labor and so majority of population is illiterate and enrollment of boys is higher than that of girls, where as it has significant numbers of secondary school and universities but due to lack of facilities and cultural enforcements the illiteracy rate for girls is high and mainly kids are used for services.
7. Senegal
Adult illiteracy rate: 62.7%
The country achieved complete independence on 20th august 1960 having a long span of history. In 2001 being adopted in constitution the education was made compulsory and free up to the age of 16. Still the illiteracy rate is high especially among women. Currently there are total 8 or more universities in the whole of Senegal which surely can’t cope up with the number of students in Senegal. In 2001 it was estimated that the total children enrolled in schools only 80% of them make way to 5th grade.
8. Benin
Adult illiteracy rate: 62.5%
It has one of the lowest adult illiteracy rates due to the fact that education system was nearly eroded in 1989. In 1990 the government took some major steps due to which the gross enrollment rate in schools has increased from a base of 49.7% in 1990 to 96% in 2004 and girls’ enrollment from 36% in 1990 to 84% in 2004. Education is compulsory for children between ages six and eleven. There are still challenges to be faced by the government of Benin specially the allotment of GDP% towards education which at present is just 4.51 according to World Bank report in 2009.
9. Ethiopia
Adult illiteracy rate: 61.3%
It’s a country located in horn of Africa and is the second most populous nation on African Continent. The education style is mainly being dominated by Orthodox Church and primary education in their language. In 2004 the enrollment of students was more than that of many other African countries. In 2004 the literacy rate was 23.4% well it is believe that it must have been increased.
10. Mauritania
Adult illiteracy rate: 60.1%
It is one of the countries of West Africa where 20% of population live on less than US$1.25 per day due to which child labor and human trafficking are common. Initially all the education was in Arabic but now all the scientific courses are also taught to the students. The country has fewer sources of universities and schools and those highly educated Mauritanians have studied abroad.
Hoping for some betterments in the coming statistics for the above stated countries. If your country is one of them, it’s a high time, try to influence people about the power of education.
Best Wishes
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