Over the past several decades, global literacy rates have significantly increased. Many countries remain at the top of list of countries with the highest literacy rate. The main reasons for such an upward trend stem from the evolution of the educational system of many developing countries, and an increased acknowledgment of the importance of education to these societies in their respective entireties.

1. Russia

Top countries with the highest literacy rates in the world
Russia is the tenth most highly literate nation in the world. - Photo: Pagero.com

Russia is the tenth most highly literate nation in the world. In this country, education is provided mainly by the state and is regulated by the Ministry of Education and Science. Russia has a literacy rate of 99.70%. with a population of 145,872,256. Russia has a high development rate and low poverty rate as they realize the importance of education for a successful nation.

2. Finland

Top countries with the highest literacy rates in the world
Photo: BusinessInsider.com

Finland has a literacy rate of 99.2% with a population of 5.53 million. It is one of the best countries in the world in terms of education, economic competitiveness, civil liberties, quality of life and human development. All these are mainly attributed to Finland's high rate of the literate population. This Nordic nation is well-known for providing free education to its masses and many of the Asians and natives obtain their higher education from Finland. There are many colleges and universities that provide career-based education to the students so they may work for their country in the future. The education system is very effective in Finland. The technology connected areas have much advancement and not just this, Finland is highly productive in scientific research.

3. South Korea

Top countries with the highest literacy rates in the world
Photo: The Economist.com

South Korea has a literacy rate of 97.9% with a population of 51.23 million. South Korea is an established country with the second-highest customary of living in Asia. Their status as a developed nation is mainly because of its high literacy rate along with a good record of placement after receiving an education. It has advanced in every field of science and technology. Most of the public funds spent on education in this nation.

4. United State of America

Top countries with the highest literacy rates in the world
Photo: BusinessToday.com

The United State of America has a literacy rate of 99.00% with a population of 329.45 million. In the United States, the government labels persons as well-educated who can read a couple of thousand simple words that they learn in the first four grades in school. Through its strongest economy, this superpower nation is ruling the world today. There is a criterion that makes the country be lifted up among the most literate countries in the world and the U.S. fulfills almost all of it. Many institutes that are famous all over the world are located in this country and those institutes are regarded as the best universities too. Though there is a gradual increase in the population in the U.S. the government has managed to provide secondary and tertiary education to its people.

5. Canada

Top countries with the highest literacy rates in the world
Photo: CNBC.com

Canada has a literacy rate of 99.00% with a population of 3.76 crores. Canada is home to many well-known institutes that provide quality education by its primary, secondary or tertiary. The government tries to provide career and skill-based education to its people so that no one remains jobless to be the burden on family, society or even country. This clearly indicates the reason for the low poverty rate and high development rate in Canada. At the age of 6, most of its masses have the ability to read and write.

6. Australia

Top countries with the highest literacy rates in the world
Photo: BusinessInsider.com

Australia has a literacy rate of 99.00% with a population of 25,326,838. Known as one of the wealthiest nations in the world, Australia has always been a hotspot for international students from almost all around the globe. The international students constitute 25 percent of the Australian population. This clearly indicates the quality education of the Australian educational institutes at every level. The institutes provide different scholarships to bright students to develop their country with the most literate people in the world. Education is indeed the mantra behind the success and development of the country.

7. United Kingdom

Top countries with the highest literacy rates in the world
Photo: MatadorNetwork.com

United Kingdom has a literacy rate of 99.00% with a population of 67,530,172. The lands of kings and queens, United Kingdom rounds off at the seventh place on the list. Students from other parts of the world prefer to go to the United Kingdom to pursue education due to flexible visa policies, supporting students to continue their education to a higher level.

8. New Zealand

Top countries with the highest literacy rates in the world
Photo: AlleTravel.com

New Zealand has a literacy rate of 99.00% with a population of 4.78 million. An island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean comes up in the fifth rank in the list. Many New Zealanders pursue technical, skill-based educations after completing their secondary school. Of the nation's adults, over 15 percent had attained this kind of college education, among the highest proportions among countries reviewed by the organization for economic co-operation and development.

9. Japan

Top countries with the highest literacy rates in the world
Photo: TheNewYorkTimes.com

Japan has a literacy rate of 99.00% with a population of 126,860,301. Though the land of the rising sun is among the countries with the highest population, it has still managed to maintain sustainability and development through its education. As such, it has made its place among the top 3 countries with a high literacy rate in the world.

10. Israel

Top countries with the highest literacy rates in the world
Photo: TheForward.com
Israel has a literacy rate of 91.75% with a population of 8,519,377. Israel is a developed country, located in a region that is geographically expanded. Most of the individual in this nation above the age of 15 years has the ability to read and write. The government provides the students with scholarships so they may pursue their higher education, according to myschoolr.com.
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