Benin
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 34.7%
male: 47.9%
female: 23.3% (2002 census)

Bermuda
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 99% (2005 est.)

Bhutan
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 47%
male: 60%
female: 34% (2003 est.)

Bolivia
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 86.7%
male: 93.1%
female: 80.7% (2001 census)

Bosnia and Herzegovina
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.7%
male: 99%
female: 94.4% (2000 est.)

Botswana
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 81.2%
male: 80.4%
female: 81.8% (2003 est.)

Brazil
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 88.6%
male: 88.4%
female: 88.8% (2004 est.)

British Virgin Islands
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.8% (1991 est.)
male: NA
female: NA

Brunei
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.7%
male: 95.2%
female: 90.2% (2001 census)

Bulgaria
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.2%
male: 98.7%
female: 97.7% (2001 census)