Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Zambia
Zambia: Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal was 46.3% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Zambia, 2015–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Zambia is 46.3%, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 1.7% on the previous year and down 1.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Zambia peaked at 47.6% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 43.2%, in 2021.
That places Zambia 85th out of 110 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 47.0% | — |
| 2017 | 45.0% | -4.4% |
| 2018 | 44.2% | -1.8% |
| 2019 | 47.6% | +7.7% |
| 2020 | 46.6% | -2.1% |
| 2021 | 43.2% | -7.3% |
| 2022 | 47.1% | +9.1% |
| 2023 | 46.3% | -1.7% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 46.3% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 50.5%, 92% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 46.3% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 47.5%, 97% of the median. (20 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 45.9% | 44.2% | 47.6% | 4 |
| 2020s | 45.8% | 43.2% | 47.1% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More education data for Zambia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 42,585 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 169,961 (2013)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.39 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.49 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.55 % change on previous year (2017)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2106 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 4.49 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Zambia?
- Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Zambia was 46.3% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 47.6% in 2019.
- What is the lowest participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 43.2% in 2021.
- How does Zambia rank for participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal?
- Zambia ranks 85th out of 110 countries with data for 2023.
- Is participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, 15-24 years old, male (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release