BEIJING -- The health literacy rate among Chinese people rose by 1.82 percentage points year on year to reach 33.69 percent in 2025, announced the National Health Commission on Wednesday.

The health literacy rate among urban residents reached 36.68 percent, while that among rural residents was 30.58 percent, reflecting respective increases of 1.94 and 1.47 percentage points compared to 2024, according to the ministry.

The health literacy gap between the less-developed western region and the eastern and central regions narrowed in 2025.

The survey, conducted among permanent residents aged 15 to 69 across 336 urban districts and counties nationwide, collected 70,451 valid questionnaires.

According to the World Health Organization, health literacy refers broadly to the ability of individuals to "gain access to, understand and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health" for themselves, their families and their communities.

The consistent increase of this health indicator reflects the country's ongoing efforts to promote public health awareness and equip people with essential health-related knowledge.

China released a three-year action plan in 2024 to further raise health literacy for all nationals.