Percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions was 86.9% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in Zimbabwe, 1999–2020
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
Zimbabwe recorded 86.9% for percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in 2020.
That represents a change of down 0.3% on the previous year and up 678.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in Zimbabwe peaked at 87.3% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 11.2%, in 2012.
That places Zimbabwe 113th out of 201 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 11.9% | — |
| 2001 | 12.7% | +7.0% |
| 2002 | 12.4% | -2.4% |
| 2003 | 13.1% | +5.5% |
| 2012 | 11.2% | -14.7% |
| 2015 | 86.4% | +673.9% |
| 2016 | 87.3% | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 87.2% | -0.1% |
| 2018 | 86.5% | -0.8% |
| 2019 | 87.1% | +0.7% |
| 2020 | 86.9% | -0.3% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 86.9% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 86.3%, 1.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 86.9% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 84.0%, 1.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 11.9% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 1 |
| 2000s | 12.7% | 12.4% | 13.1% | 3 |
| 2010s | 74.3% | 11.2% | 87.3% | 6 |
| 2020s | 86.9% | 86.9% | 86.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
More education data for Zimbabwe
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 42,585 (2013)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 12,514 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 328,055 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 322,698 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 957,461 (2013)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.94 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.4866 % 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 0.1767 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in Zimbabwe?
- Percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in Zimbabwe was 86.9% in 2020, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 87.3% in 2016.
- What is the lowest percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.2% in 2012.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions?
- Zimbabwe ranks 113th out of 201 countries with data for 2020.
- Is percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is up 678.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zimbabwe data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release