Survival rate to the last grade of primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Survival rate to the last grade of primary education, both sexes was 39.9% in 2019. ▼ Falling
Latest (2019)
39.9%
Change on year
up 65.1%
World rank
174th
of 180 countries
All-time high
51.1%
in 2015
All-time low
24.2%
in 2017
Years of data
6
1977–2019
Survival rate to the last grade of primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone, 1977–2019
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
Sierra Leone recorded 39.9% for survival rate to the last grade of primary education, both sexes in 2019.
The figure is up 65.1% on the previous year and down 16.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, survival rate to the last grade of primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone peaked at 51.1% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 24.2%, in 2017.
Sierra Leone ranks 174th of 180 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Survival rate to the last grade of primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 48.3% | — |
| 2012 | 47.8% | -1.1% |
| 2015 | 51.1% | +7.0% |
| 2016 | 47.0% | -8.0% |
| 2017 | 24.2% | -48.6% |
| 2019 | 39.9% | +65.1% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 39.9% is below the median for low income countries, which is 52.3%, 76% of the median. (20 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 39.9% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 65.9%, 61% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 48.3% | 48.3% | 48.3% | 1 |
| 2010s | 42.0% | 24.2% | 51.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
- 171 Central African Republic 46.6% compare
- 172 Niger 44.6% compare
- 173 Mozambique 43.1% compare
- 175 Uganda 35.5% compare
- 176 Haiti 32.2% compare
- 177 Madagascar 31.6% compare
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 survival rate to the last grade of primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone?
- Survival rate to the last grade of primary education, both sexes in Sierra Leone was 39.9% in 2019, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest survival rate to the last grade of primary education, both sexes recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 51.1% in 2015.
- What is the lowest survival rate to the last grade of primary education, both sexes recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.2% in 2017.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for survival rate to the last grade of primary education, both sexes?
- Sierra Leone ranks 174th out of 180 countries with data for 2019.
- Is survival rate to the last grade of primary education, both sexes rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Survival rate to the last grade of primary education, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release