Literacy rate doubles in 40 years in State

From 34.1% in 1971, it rose to 76.7% in 2011

Ludhiana, June 24
In a positive step, the literacy rate in Punjab has almost doubled in the past about 40 years. Though four decades seem to be a long time to make improvements in the education system, the latest data with the Census Department show that the literacy rate in the state has increased to 76.7 per cent from 34.1 per cent in 1971.

The previous survey on literacy was conducted in 1971. Almost 75 per cent of the total population of Punjab is now literate. The literacy rate among men is 81.5 per cent while it is 71.3 per cent among women.

Hoshiarpur district with 85.4 per cent has the highest literacy rate. The district having least literacy rate is Mansa with just 62.8 per cent literate population.

In Hoshiarpur, maximum urban women (85.4 per cent) are literate while the most literate urban men are in Mohali district (92.2 per cent), reveals the survey report.