Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Lesotho
Lesotho: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 21,586 in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Lesotho, 1970–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
Lesotho recorded 21,586 for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in 2018.
That represents a change of down 4.4% on the previous year and up 154.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Lesotho peaked at 25,507 in 2012 and was at its lowest, 342, in 1972.
Lesotho ranks 146th of 200 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 tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 402 | — |
| 1971 | 368 | -8.5% |
| 1972 | 342 | -7.1% |
| 1973 | 468 | +36.8% |
| 1974 | 563 | +20.3% |
| 1975 | 529 | -6.0% |
| 1976 | 708 | +33.8% |
| 1977 | 950 | +34.2% |
| 1978 | 1,075 | +13.2% |
| 1979 | 1,260 | +17.2% |
| 1980 | 1,188 | -5.7% |
| 1981 | 1,319 | +11.0% |
| 1982 | 1,397 | +5.9% |
| 1983 | 1,432 | +2.5% |
| 1984 | 1,373 | -4.1% |
| 1985 | 1,771 | +29.0% |
| 1986 | 1,869 | +5.5% |
| 1987 | 2,220 | +18.8% |
| 1988 | 2,410 | +8.6% |
| 1989 | 2,391 | -0.8% |
| 1990 | 2,029 | -15.1% |
| 1991 | 2,112 | +4.1% |
| 1992 | 3,704 | +75.4% |
| 1993 | 4,001 | +8.0% |
| 1994 | 4,365 | +9.1% |
| 1995 | 4,384 | +0.4% |
| 1996 | 4,614 | +5.2% |
| 1999 | 4,046 | -12.3% |
| 2000 | 4,470 | +10.5% |
| 2001 | 4,976 | +11.3% |
| 2002 | 5,005 | +0.6% |
| 2003 | 6,108 | +22.0% |
| 2005 | 7,918 | +29.6% |
| 2006 | 8,500 | +7.4% |
| 2012 | 25,507 | +200.1% |
| 2013 | 24,073 | -5.6% |
| 2014 | 23,545 | -2.2% |
| 2015 | 21,664 | -8.0% |
| 2017 | 22,572 | +4.2% |
| 2018 | 21,586 | -4.4% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 21,586 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 252,098, 9% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 21,586 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 83,195, 26% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Lesotho changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | +200.1% | 8,500 | 25,507 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 666.5 | 342 | 1,260 | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,737 | 1,188 | 2,410 | 10 |
| 1990s | 3,657 | 2,029 | 4,614 | 8 |
| 2000s | 6,163 | 4,470 | 8,500 | 6 |
| 2010s | 23,158 | 21,586 | 25,507 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 143 Gambia 27,304 compare
- 144 Mauritania 24,444 compare
- 145 Trinidad and Tobago 22,384 compare
- 147 Montenegro 21,177 compare
- 148 Malta 21,120 compare
- 149 Iceland 20,287 compare
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 enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Lesotho?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Lesotho was 21,586 in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 25,507 in 2012.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 342 in 1972.
- How does Lesotho rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Lesotho ranks 146th out of 200 countries with data for 2018.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 154.0%. 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 tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release