Completion rate, primary education, both sexes (%) (rate both sexes) in Zambia
Zambia: Completion rate, primary education, both sexes (%) (rate both sexes) was 74.3% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
74.3%
World rank
69th
of 88 countries
All-time high
75.0%
in 2013
All-time low
55.3%
in 2001
Years of data
7
1999–2024
Completion rate, primary education, both sexes in Zambia, 1999–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, completion rate, primary education, both sexes in Zambia stood at 74.3%.
That represents a change of down 0.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, completion rate, primary education, both sexes in Zambia peaked at 75.0% in 2013 and was at its lowest, 55.3%, in 2001.
That places Zambia 69th out of 88 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Completion rate, primary education, both sexes (%) (rate both sexes) in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 60.3% | — |
| 2001 | 55.3% | -8.3% |
| 2007 | 61.6% | +11.4% |
| 2010 | 66.7% | +8.3% |
| 2013 | 75.0% | +12.3% |
| 2018 | 72.0% | -3.9% |
| 2024 | 74.3% | +3.2% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 74.3% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 86.1%, 86% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 74.3% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 62.7%, 1.2× the median. (27 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 60.3% | 60.3% | 60.3% | 1 |
| 2000s | 58.5% | 55.3% | 61.6% | 2 |
| 2010s | 71.2% | 66.7% | 75.0% | 3 |
| 2020s | 74.3% | 74.3% | 74.3% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More education data for Zambia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 42,585 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 169,961 (2013)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.39 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.49 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.55 % change on previous year (2017)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2106 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 4.49 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is completion rate, primary education, both sexes in Zambia?
- Completion rate, primary education, both sexes in Zambia was 74.3% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest completion rate, primary education, both sexes recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 75.0% in 2013.
- What is the lowest completion rate, primary education, both sexes recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 55.3% in 2001.
- How does Zambia rank for completion rate, primary education, both sexes?
- Zambia ranks 69th out of 88 countries with data for 2024.
- Is completion rate, primary education, both sexes rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zambia 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