Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes in Lesotho
Lesotho: Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes was 136,497 in 2017. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes in Lesotho, 1970–2017
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in secondary education, both sexes in Lesotho is 136,497, measured in 2017. That is the highest value across all 47 years on record.
That represents a change of up 6.0% on the previous year and up 34.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in secondary education, both sexes in Lesotho peaked at 136,497 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 8,815, in 1971.
Lesotho ranks 146th of 219 countries 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 secondary education, both sexes in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 15,317 | — |
| 1971 | 8,815 | -42.4% |
| 1972 | 10,006 | +13.5% |
| 1973 | 13,792 | +37.8% |
| 1975 | 16,476 | +19.5% |
| 1976 | 17,795 | +8.0% |
| 1977 | 18,955 | +6.5% |
| 1978 | 19,512 | +2.9% |
| 1979 | 23,368 | +19.8% |
| 1980 | 25,292 | +8.2% |
| 1981 | 28,107 | +11.1% |
| 1982 | 29,608 | +5.3% |
| 1983 | 33,421 | +12.9% |
| 1984 | 35,444 | +6.1% |
| 1985 | 37,343 | +5.4% |
| 1986 | 39,478 | +5.7% |
| 1987 | 43,368 | +9.9% |
| 1988 | 45,951 | +6.0% |
| 1989 | 47,212 | +2.7% |
| 1990 | 48,209 | +2.1% |
| 1991 | 48,505 | +0.6% |
| 1992 | 52,598 | +8.4% |
| 1993 | 55,984 | +6.4% |
| 1994 | 62,399 | +11.5% |
| 1995 | 67,173 | +7.7% |
| 1996 | 68,132 | +1.4% |
| 1997 | 72,170 | +5.9% |
| 1998 | 72,235 | +0.1% |
| 1999 | 73,620 | +1.9% |
| 2000 | 74,313 | +0.9% |
| 2001 | 79,266 | +6.7% |
| 2002 | 82,256 | +3.8% |
| 2003 | 84,273 | +2.5% |
| 2004 | 89,864 | +6.6% |
| 2005 | 94,496 | +5.2% |
| 2006 | 96,073 | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 101,738 | +5.9% |
| 2008 | 107,322 | +5.5% |
| 2009 | 115,805 | +7.9% |
| 2010 | 125,823 | +8.7% |
| 2011 | 130,831 | +4.0% |
| 2012 | 134,543 | +2.8% |
| 2013 | 130,476 | -3.0% |
| 2014 | 130,836 | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 133,434 | +2.0% |
| 2016 | 128,780 | -3.5% |
| 2017 | 136,497 | +6.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 16,004 | 8,815 | 23,368 | 9 |
| 1980s | 36,522 | 25,292 | 47,212 | 10 |
| 1990s | 62,102 | 48,209 | 73,620 | 10 |
| 2000s | 92,541 | 74,313 | 115,805 | 10 |
| 2010s | 131,402 | 125,823 | 136,497 | 8 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More education data for Lesotho
- Theoretical duration of upper secondary education (years), annual 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of secondary education (years), annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Start of the academic school year (tertiary education), gaps filled 2,021 tertiary education (2022)
- Start of the academic school year (tertiary education), annual growth -0.0496 % change on previous year (2018)
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 10,388 (2024)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Duration of pre primary education 3 (2025)
- Official entrance age to pre primary education 3 (2025)
- Population ages 15-64 62.0% (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 34.1% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in secondary education, both sexes in Lesotho?
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes in Lesotho was 136,497 in 2017, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in secondary education, both sexes recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 136,497 in 2017.
- What is the lowest enrolment in secondary education, both sexes recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 8,815 in 1971.
- How does Lesotho rank for enrolment in secondary education, both sexes?
- Lesotho ranks 146th out of 219 countries with data for 2017.
- Is enrolment in secondary education, both sexes rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 34.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release