Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Lesotho
Lesotho: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 21,586 number in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Lesotho, 1970–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Lesotho is 21,586 number, measured in 2018.
Compared with earlier readings it is 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 number in 2012 and was at its lowest, 342 number, in 1972.
That places Lesotho 143rd out of 193 countries with data for 2018, putting it 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 | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 402 number | — |
| 1971 | 368 number | -8.5% |
| 1972 | 342 number | -7.1% |
| 1973 | 468 number | +36.8% |
| 1974 | 563 number | +20.3% |
| 1975 | 529 number | -6.0% |
| 1976 | 708 number | +33.8% |
| 1977 | 950 number | +34.2% |
| 1978 | 1,075 number | +13.2% |
| 1979 | 1,260 number | +17.2% |
| 1980 | 1,188 number | -5.7% |
| 1981 | 1,319 number | +11.0% |
| 1982 | 1,397 number | +5.9% |
| 1983 | 1,432 number | +2.5% |
| 1984 | 1,373 number | -4.1% |
| 1985 | 1,771 number | +29.0% |
| 1986 | 1,869 number | +5.5% |
| 1987 | 2,220 number | +18.8% |
| 1988 | 2,410 number | +8.6% |
| 1989 | 2,391 number | -0.8% |
| 1990 | 2,029 number | -15.1% |
| 1991 | 2,112 number | +4.1% |
| 1992 | 3,704 number | +75.4% |
| 1993 | 4,001 number | +8.0% |
| 1994 | 4,365 number | +9.1% |
| 1995 | 4,384 number | +0.4% |
| 1996 | 4,614 number | +5.2% |
| 1999 | 4,046 number | -12.3% |
| 2000 | 4,470 number | +10.5% |
| 2001 | 4,976 number | +11.3% |
| 2002 | 5,005 number | +0.6% |
| 2003 | 6,108 number | +22.0% |
| 2005 | 7,918 number | +29.6% |
| 2006 | 8,500 number | +7.4% |
| 2012 | 25,507 number | +200.1% |
| 2013 | 24,073 number | -5.6% |
| 2014 | 23,545 number | -2.2% |
| 2015 | 21,664 number | -8.0% |
| 2017 | 22,572 number | +4.2% |
| 2018 | 21,586 number | -4.4% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 21,586 number is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 217,880 number, 10% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 21,586 number is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 72,128 number, 30% 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 number | 25,507 number |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 666.5 number | 342 number | 1,260 number | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,737 number | 1,188 number | 2,410 number | 10 |
| 1990s | 3,657 number | 2,029 number | 4,614 number | 8 |
| 2000s | 6,163 number | 4,470 number | 8,500 number | 6 |
| 2010s | 23,158 number | 21,586 number | 25,507 number | 6 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 140 Macao 34,279 number compare
- 141 Mauritania 23,417 number compare
- 142 Montenegro 22,709 number compare
- 144 Iceland 17,835 number compare
- 145 Trinidad and Tobago 16,751 number compare
- 146 Somalia 15,672 number 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 enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Lesotho?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Lesotho was 21,586 number 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 number in 2012.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 342 number in 1972.
- How does Lesotho rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Lesotho ranks 143rd out of 193 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
The total number of students enrolled at public and private tertiary education institutions.