Palestinian Territories Achieve Low Illiteracy Rates Amidst Growing Educational Crises
The West Bank and Gaza Strip have achieved some of the lowest illiteracy rates globally, significantly below regional and world averages. However, these educational gains are under increasing threat from accumulated crises impacting the education system, including a severe economic downturn in the West Bank and the ongoing war in Gaza.
According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), in 2023, the illiteracy rate for individuals aged 15 and above stood at 2.1%. This compares favorably to the 19% rate in West Asia and North Africa in 2022 and the global average of 13%. Data indicates substantial improvement over past decades, particularly among younger generations. Educational experts, however, warn that continued disruptions to schooling could lead to learning gaps that may evolve into deeper problems in the future.
Experts note a cumulative decline in Palestinian education since the COVID-19 pandemic, with students experiencing six years of significant educational disruptions. Factors contributing to this include the pandemic, teacher strikes, the war in Gaza, security escalations in the West Bank, and a financial crisis affecting salary payments. These issues have resulted in significant "learning loss," with the education system operating at an estimated 50% capacity. Observers caution that without addressing these educational gaps, declining academic achievement could eventually lead to rising illiteracy rates.
In the West Bank, the illiteracy rate for those 15 and older was 2.1% in 2025, with 1% for males and 3.2% for females. This represents a considerable decrease from 1997, when male illiteracy was 7.3% and female illiteracy was 21.1%. Illiteracy is concentrated among older generations, with 17.5% among those 65 and above, compared to 0.8% for those aged 15-29. The economic crisis in the West Bank exacerbates these challenges, impacting educational institutions and families' ability to cope with learning loss.
Data for Gaza for 2024 and 2025 is unavailable due to the ongoing war. Available data shows illiteracy fell from 13.7% in 1997 to 1.9% in 2023. However, the war has caused extensive damage to educational infrastructure, with over 179 government schools and 105 UNRWA schools destroyed or damaged. The conflict has also resulted in the deaths of over 19,000 students and the injury of over 28,000, with significant damage to universities and higher education institutions as well.
While long-term progress in reducing illiteracy is evident, the war, economic crisis, and educational disruptions pose a significant challenge. The primary goal for the Palestinian education system is not only to maintain low illiteracy rates but also to prevent years of disruption and learning loss from becoming a chronic educational deficit with future societal and labor market consequences.
