Cross country literacy rates in Lesotho
Lesotho: Cross country literacy rates was 90.45 in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
90.45
World rank
74th
of 128 countries
All-time high
97.27
in 2016
All-time low
52.5
in 1950
Years of data
7
1950–2024
Cross country literacy rates in Lesotho, 1950–2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
Lesotho recorded 90.45 for cross country literacy rates in 2024.
That represents a change of down 7.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, cross country literacy rates in Lesotho peaked at 97.27 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 52.5, in 1950.
That places Lesotho 74th out of 128 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Cross country literacy rates in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 52.5 | — |
| 2000 | 86.25 | +64.3% |
| 2006 | 66.1 | -23.4% |
| 2016 | 97.27 | +47.2% |
| 2018 | 86.24 | -11.3% |
| 2019 | 92.4 | +7.1% |
| 2024 | 90.45 | -2.1% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 90.45 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 78.16, 1.2× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 90.45 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 70.87, 1.3× the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 52.5 | 52.5 | 52.5 | 1 |
| 2000s | 76.17 | 66.1 | 86.25 | 2 |
| 2010s | 91.97 | 86.24 | 97.27 | 3 |
| 2020s | 90.45 | 90.45 | 90.45 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 71 South Africa 91.15 compare
- 72 Thailand 91.1 compare
- 73 Eswatini 90.75 compare
- 75 El Salvador 89.77 compare
- 76 Iran 88.92 compare
- 77 Cape Verde 88.47 compare
More education data for Lesotho
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 68.25 (2024)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 67.83 (2024)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is cross country literacy rates in Lesotho?
- Cross country literacy rates in Lesotho was 90.45 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest cross country literacy rates recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 97.27 in 2016.
- What is the lowest cross country literacy rates recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 52.5 in 1950.
- How does Lesotho rank for cross country literacy rates?
- Lesotho ranks 74th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is cross country literacy rates rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Cross country literacy rates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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