Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa
UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa: Enrolment in primary education, both sexes was 99.95 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
99.95 million
Change on year
up 1.3%
Rank
81st
of 221 groups
All-time high
100.37 million
in 2020
All-time low
16.15 million
in 1971
Years of data
55
1970–2024
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa, 1970–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in primary education, both sexes in UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa is 99.95 million, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 1.3% on the previous year and up 15.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in primary education, both sexes in UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa peaked at 100.37 million in 2020 and was at its lowest, 16.15 million, in 1971.
UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa ranks 81st of 221 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 16.78 million | — |
| 1971 | 16.15 million | -3.8% |
| 1972 | 16.81 million | +4.1% |
| 1973 | 17.56 million | +4.5% |
| 1974 | 19.26 million | +9.6% |
| 1975 | 20.48 million | +6.3% |
| 1976 | 21.56 million | +5.3% |
| 1977 | 22.70 million | +5.3% |
| 1978 | 23.63 million | +4.1% |
| 1979 | 25.35 million | +7.3% |
| 1980 | 27.21 million | +7.3% |
| 1981 | 28.50 million | +4.7% |
| 1982 | 29.33 million | +2.9% |
| 1983 | 29.85 million | +1.8% |
| 1984 | 30.15 million | +1.0% |
| 1985 | 30.08 million | -0.2% |
| 1986 | 30.74 million | +2.2% |
| 1987 | 31.71 million | +3.2% |
| 1988 | 32.29 million | +1.8% |
| 1989 | 34.56 million | +7.1% |
| 1990 | 34.88 million | +0.9% |
| 1991 | 35.62 million | +2.1% |
| 1992 | 35.83 million | +0.6% |
| 1993 | 37.26 million | +4.0% |
| 1994 | 38.27 million | +2.7% |
| 1995 | 40.14 million | +4.9% |
| 1996 | 41.29 million | +2.9% |
| 1997 | 44.99 million | +9.0% |
| 1998 | 46.82 million | +4.1% |
| 1999 | 48.11 million | +2.8% |
| 2000 | 50.14 million | +4.2% |
| 2001 | 52.90 million | +5.5% |
| 2002 | 55.52 million | +5.0% |
| 2003 | 59.18 million | +6.6% |
| 2004 | 61.76 million | +4.4% |
| 2005 | 65.31 million | +5.7% |
| 2006 | 68.27 million | +4.5% |
| 2007 | 72.99 million | +6.9% |
| 2008 | 76.94 million | +5.4% |
| 2009 | 78.41 million | +1.9% |
| 2010 | 79.69 million | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 81.38 million | +2.1% |
| 2012 | 83.08 million | +2.1% |
| 2013 | 84.73 million | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 86.57 million | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 87.74 million | +1.4% |
| 2016 | 90.16 million | +2.8% |
| 2017 | 92.70 million | +2.8% |
| 2018 | 95.64 million | +3.2% |
| 2019 | 98.10 million | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 100.37 million | +2.3% |
| 2021 | 99.61 million | -0.8% |
| 2022 | 97.73 million | -1.9% |
| 2023 | 98.70 million | +1.0% |
| 2024 | 99.95 million | +1.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 20.03 million | 16.15 million | 25.35 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 30.44 million | 27.21 million | 34.56 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 40.32 million | 34.88 million | 48.11 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 64.14 million | 50.14 million | 78.41 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 87.98 million | 79.69 million | 98.10 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 99.27 million | 97.73 million | 100.37 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa
- 78 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 1.38 million compare
- 79 Tunisia 1.34 million compare
- 80 Dominican Republic 1.17 million compare
- 81 Netherlands 1.14 million compare
- 82 Jordan 1.12 million compare
- 83 Israel 1.05 million compare
- 84 Honduras 1.03 million compare
More education data for UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 49.26 million (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth rate 1.01 % change on previous year (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 2.50 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 2.77 % change on previous year (2022)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 36.30 million (2022)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), annual growth rate 1.22 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), gaps filled 50.69 million (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), annual growth rate 1.32 % change on previous year (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 8.67 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 9.20 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in primary education, both sexes in UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa?
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa was 99.95 million in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 100.37 million in 2020.
- What is the lowest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.15 million in 1971.
- How does UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa rank for enrolment in primary education, both sexes?
- UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa ranks 81st out of 221 groups with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in primary education, both sexes rising or falling in UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this UNICEF: Eastern and Southern Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release