Completion rate, primary education, both sexes (%) (rate both sexes) in Lesotho
Lesotho: Completion rate, primary education, both sexes (%) (rate both sexes) was 87.9% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Completion rate, primary education, both sexes in Lesotho, 2005–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for completion rate, primary education, both sexes in Lesotho is 87.9%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 35.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, completion rate, primary education, both sexes in Lesotho peaked at 87.9% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 49.9%, in 2005.
Lesotho ranks 60th of 88 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Completion rate, primary education, both sexes (%) (rate both sexes) in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 49.9% | — |
| 2009 | 64.1% | +28.5% |
| 2014 | 64.9% | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 79.9% | +23.1% |
| 2024 | 87.9% | +10.0% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 87.9% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 86.1%, 1.0× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 87.9% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 62.7%, 1.4× the median. (27 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 57.0% | 49.9% | 64.1% | 2 |
| 2010s | 72.4% | 64.9% | 79.9% | 2 |
| 2020s | 87.9% | 87.9% | 87.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More education data for Lesotho
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 5,672 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 30,627 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 22,924 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 23,698 (2022)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 136,497 (2017)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 309,480 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.8093 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1324 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is completion rate, primary education, both sexes in Lesotho?
- Completion rate, primary education, both sexes in Lesotho was 87.9% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest completion rate, primary education, both sexes recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 87.9% in 2024.
- What is the lowest completion rate, primary education, both sexes recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 49.9% in 2005.
- How does Lesotho rank for completion rate, primary education, both sexes?
- Lesotho ranks 60th out of 88 countries with data for 2024.
- Is completion rate, primary education, both sexes rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 35.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Completion rate, primary education, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release