Repetition rate in Grade 1 of primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Repetition rate in Grade 1 of primary education, both sexes was 8.2% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Repetition rate in Grade 1 of primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone, 1977–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for repetition rate in grade 1 of primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone is 8.2%, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 8.7% on the previous year and down 55.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, repetition rate in grade 1 of primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone peaked at 20.3% in 1977 and was at its lowest, 1.5%, in 2017.
Sierra Leone ranks 39th of 199 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Repetition rate in Grade 1 of primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 20.3% | — |
| 1982 | 19.8% | -2.1% |
| 2012 | 18.3% | -7.9% |
| 2015 | 7.1% | -61.3% |
| 2016 | 8.3% | +17.8% |
| 2017 | 1.5% | -82.2% |
| 2018 | 6.4% | +333.0% |
| 2019 | 6.1% | -4.7% |
| 2020 | 7.2% | +18.4% |
| 2021 | 7.4% | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 7.5% | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 8.2% | +8.7% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 8.2% is below the median for low income countries, which is 8.7%, 94% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 8.2% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 6.3%, 1.3× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 20.3% | 20.3% | 20.3% | 1 |
| 1980s | 19.8% | 19.8% | 19.8% | 1 |
| 2010s | 7.9% | 1.5% | 18.3% | 6 |
| 2020s | 7.6% | 7.2% | 8.2% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More education data for Sierra Leone
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 38,043 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 73,295 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 85,708 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 92,723 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.16 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.07 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.52 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2393 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is repetition rate in grade 1 of primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone?
- Repetition rate in grade 1 of primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone was 8.2% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest repetition rate in grade 1 of primary education, both sexes recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 20.3% in 1977.
- What is the lowest repetition rate in grade 1 of primary education, both sexes recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.5% in 2017.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for repetition rate in grade 1 of primary education, both sexes?
- Sierra Leone ranks 39th out of 199 countries with data for 2023.
- Is repetition rate in grade 1 of primary education, both sexes rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 55.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Repetition rate in Grade 1 of primary education, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release