According to census 2001, Orissa has a population of 3,67,06,920. The population in the age group of 0 to 6 is 51,80,551. The number of literates is 2,05,53,786. The literacy rate of persons of seven years age and above is 63.61%. The age of seven and above is taken for this purpose because children below seven years of age are not expected to learn alphabets. Male literacy is 75.95% and female literacy is 50.97%.

Among the districts, Malkangiri has the lowest literacy rate of 31.26%. Among the women, lowest literacy level is in Nabarangpur district, at 21.02%, and Malkangiri district at 21.28%.

Khurda district which includes Bhubaneswar city, has the highest literacy of 80.19%. This district also has the highest female literacy of 71.06%. The high literacy figures of Khurda district is certainly influenced by the inclusion of the state capital in the statistics. Next to Khurda comes Jagatsinghpur district with 79.61% literates.

The literacy level in Orissa at 63.61% is comparable with all-India average of 65.38%. However, there are considerable regional disparities between areas, and communities. 

Non-formal and adult literacy programs are run in various districts and are at different stages of implementation. Out of 30 districts, 9 are continuing total literacy campaign [TLC]. 10 districts are either continuing or awaiting approval of post literacy program [PLP]. 11 districts have completed PLP, and some of them have received sanction for Continuing Education Program.