Average years of schooling in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Average years of schooling was 2.85 years in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Average years of schooling in Afghanistan, 1950–2020
Source: Leandro Prados de la Escosura (2021) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in years.
Analysis
Afghanistan recorded 2.85 years for average years of schooling in 2020.
That represents a change of down 25.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average years of schooling in Afghanistan peaked at 3.81 years in 2010 and was at its lowest, 0.2205 years, in 1950.
That places Afghanistan 157th out of 162 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Average years of schooling in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | years | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 0.2205 years | — |
| 1955 | 0.2571 years | +16.6% |
| 1960 | 0.3103 years | +20.7% |
| 1965 | 0.3674 years | +18.4% |
| 1970 | 0.617 years | +67.9% |
| 1975 | 0.8232 years | +33.4% |
| 1980 | 1.09 years | +32.7% |
| 1985 | 1.37 years | +25.4% |
| 1990 | 1.6 years | +17.1% |
| 1995 | 1.96 years | +22.5% |
| 2000 | 2.51 years | +27.6% |
| 2005 | 3.02 years | +20.6% |
| 2010 | 3.81 years | +26.1% |
| 2015 | 3.55 years | -6.9% |
| 2020 | 2.85 years | -19.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 0.2388 years | 0.2205 years | 0.2571 years | 2 |
| 1960s | 0.3389 years | 0.3103 years | 0.3674 years | 2 |
| 1970s | 0.7201 years | 0.617 years | 0.8232 years | 2 |
| 1980s | 1.23 years | 1.09 years | 1.37 years | 2 |
| 1990s | 1.78 years | 1.6 years | 1.96 years | 2 |
| 2000s | 2.77 years | 2.51 years | 3.02 years | 2 |
| 2010s | 3.68 years | 3.55 years | 3.81 years | 2 |
| 2020s | 2.85 years | 2.85 years | 2.85 years | 1 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More education data for Afghanistan
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 88,020 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 343,942 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 13,837 (2003)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 10,383 (2003)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.43 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 7.51 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 3.56 % change on previous year (2019)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0004 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1811 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average years of schooling in Afghanistan?
- Average years of schooling in Afghanistan was 2.85 years in 2020, according to Leandro Prados de la Escosura (2021) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest average years of schooling recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 3.81 years in 2010.
- What is the lowest average years of schooling recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.2205 years in 1950.
- How does Afghanistan rank for average years of schooling?
- Afghanistan ranks 157th out of 162 countries with data for 2020.
- Is average years of schooling rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 25.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from Leandro Prados de la Escosura (2021) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Average years of schooling. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Average number of years of total schooling (primary, secondary, and tertiary) for the population aged 15 and over.