Percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in public institutions in Lesotho
Lesotho: Percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in public institutions was 39.7% in 2018. ▬ Flat
Percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in public institutions in Lesotho, 1999–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in public institutions in Lesotho is 39.7%, measured in 2018.
That represents a change of up 4.6% on the previous year and down 11.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in public institutions in Lesotho peaked at 44.8% in 2006 and was at its lowest, 36.3%, in 1999.
Lesotho ranks 118th of 149 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in public institutions in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 36.3% | — |
| 2000 | 38.2% | +5.3% |
| 2001 | 36.5% | -4.3% |
| 2002 | 42.0% | +14.8% |
| 2003 | 38.7% | -7.8% |
| 2006 | 44.8% | +15.9% |
| 2012 | 39.9% | -11.0% |
| 2013 | 40.6% | +1.7% |
| 2014 | 40.8% | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 40.0% | -2.0% |
| 2017 | 38.0% | -5.0% |
| 2018 | 39.7% | +4.6% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 39.7% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 49.7%, 80% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 39.7% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 58.2%, 68% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 36.3% | 36.3% | 36.3% | 1 |
| 2000s | 40.0% | 36.5% | 44.8% | 5 |
| 2010s | 39.8% | 38.0% | 40.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
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 percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in public institutions in Lesotho?
- Percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in public institutions in Lesotho was 39.7% in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in public institutions recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 44.8% in 2006.
- What is the lowest percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in public institutions recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.3% in 1999.
- How does Lesotho rank for percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in public institutions?
- Lesotho ranks 118th out of 149 countries with data for 2018.
- Is percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in public institutions rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in public institutions, male (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release