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 2.2% in 2023. ▼ Falling
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 2.2%, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 2.6% on the previous year and down 47.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Zambia peaked at 4.2% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 1.9%, in 2020.
Zambia ranks 65th of 103 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4.2% | — |
| 2017 | 3.5% | -18.5% |
| 2018 | 2.0% | -41.6% |
| 2019 | 2.4% | +20.3% |
| 2020 | 1.9% | -20.2% |
| 2021 | 2.2% | +13.3% |
| 2022 | 2.3% | +3.8% |
| 2023 | 2.2% | -2.6% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 2.2% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 1.5%, 1.5× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 2.2% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1.8%, 1.2× the median. (18 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 3.0% | 2.0% | 4.2% | 4 |
| 2020s | 2.2% | 1.9% | 2.3% | 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 2.2% 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 4.2% in 2015.
- What is the lowest participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.9% in 2020.
- How does Zambia rank for participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal?
- Zambia ranks 65th out of 103 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 47.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- 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, 25-54 years old, female (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release