The chart below shows estimated world illiteracy rates by region and by gender for the year 2000

The chart illustrates illiteracy rates in world of both female and male in 6 regions in the year 2000. It is measured in percentages.

Overall, illiteracy rate is greater in female when compared to male in the period given . Both genders illiteracy rates are more in South Asia and least in Developed countries. Furthermore, the most significant difference between the two genders was in South Asia.

In terms of South Asia, percentage of illiteracy for women was over 50% on this as opposed to that men was approximately 30%. While in Developed countries which constitutes least illiteracy rates female rates are approximately equal to that of male rates(about 2% and 1% respectively).

On the other hand, remaining regions like Arab States had second highest proportions 52% in women 29% in men. In Sub-Saharan Africa rates are 48% and exactly 30% in female and male respectively. Female rate is exactly 20% and male rate is approximately 9% in East Asia/Oceania region. In Latin America(Caribbean) both genders have only 1% difference in illiteracy rates 11% in women and 10% in men.