Repetition rate in Grade 7 of primary education, both sexes in Zambia
Zambia: Repetition rate in Grade 7 of primary education, both sexes was 7.4% in 2012. ▲ Rising
Repetition rate in Grade 7 of primary education, both sexes in Zambia, 1971–2012
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2012, repetition rate in grade 7 of primary education, both sexes in Zambia stood at 7.4%.
The figure is down 7.7% on the previous year and down 50.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, repetition rate in grade 7 of primary education, both sexes in Zambia peaked at 15.2% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 3.9%, in 1977.
That places Zambia 6th out of 28 countries with data for 2012, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Repetition rate in Grade 7 of primary education, both sexes in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 10.0% | — |
| 1972 | 8.9% | -10.8% |
| 1973 | 9.6% | +7.6% |
| 1974 | 8.9% | -7.6% |
| 1975 | 8.2% | -7.4% |
| 1976 | 5.8% | -29.8% |
| 1977 | 3.9% | -32.0% |
| 1978 | 7.1% | +81.3% |
| 1979 | 9.5% | +33.1% |
| 1980 | 6.4% | -32.2% |
| 1985 | 10.5% | +63.3% |
| 1998 | 12.8% | +21.7% |
| 1999 | 12.3% | -3.8% |
| 2001 | 15.2% | +23.3% |
| 2005 | 12.6% | -17.2% |
| 2006 | 12.4% | -0.9% |
| 2007 | 11.5% | -7.3% |
| 2008 | 10.6% | -8.0% |
| 2009 | 10.0% | -5.6% |
| 2010 | 7.7% | -23.5% |
| 2011 | 8.1% | +5.4% |
| 2012 | 7.4% | -7.7% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 7.4% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 5.0%, 1.5× the median. (9 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 7.4% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 5.0%, 1.5× the median. (11 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 8.0% | 3.9% | 10.0% | 9 |
| 1980s | 8.5% | 6.4% | 10.5% | 2 |
| 1990s | 12.6% | 12.3% | 12.8% | 2 |
| 2000s | 12.1% | 10.0% | 15.2% | 6 |
| 2010s | 7.7% | 7.4% | 8.1% | 3 |
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 repetition rate in grade 7 of primary education, both sexes in Zambia?
- Repetition rate in grade 7 of primary education, both sexes in Zambia was 7.4% in 2012, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest repetition rate in grade 7 of primary education, both sexes recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 15.2% in 2001.
- What is the lowest repetition rate in grade 7 of primary education, both sexes recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.9% in 1977.
- How does Zambia rank for repetition rate in grade 7 of primary education, both sexes?
- Zambia ranks 6th out of 28 countries with data for 2012.
- Is repetition rate in grade 7 of primary education, both sexes rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 50.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Repetition rate in Grade 7 of primary education, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release