Youth/adult literacy rate in Lesotho
Lesotho: Youth/adult literacy rate was 96.5% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
96.5%
World rank
37th
of 57 countries
All-time high
98.3%
in 2016
All-time low
75.7%
in 2006
Years of data
5
2000–2024
Youth/adult literacy rate in Lesotho, 2000–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for youth/adult literacy rate in Lesotho is 96.5%, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 1.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, youth/adult literacy rate in Lesotho peaked at 98.3% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 75.7%, in 2006.
Lesotho ranks 37th of 57 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Youth/adult literacy rate in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 90.9% | — |
| 2006 | 75.7% | -16.7% |
| 2016 | 98.3% | +29.8% |
| 2018 | 95.2% | -3.1% |
| 2024 | 96.5% | +1.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 83.3% | 75.7% | 90.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 96.7% | 95.2% | 98.3% | 2 |
| 2020s | 96.5% | 96.5% | 96.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More education data for Lesotho
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) -4.37 % change on previous year (2018)
- Teachers in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 7,735 (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, male (number), gaps filled 2,653 (2024)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) 13,054 (2018)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) -5.95 % change on previous year (2018)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, male (number), gaps 8,532 (2018)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, male (number) -1.84 % change on previous year (2018)
- Theoretical duration of primary education (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of pre-primary education (years), annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Start of the academic school year (pre-primary to post-secondary non) 0.0494 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is youth/adult literacy rate in Lesotho?
- Youth/adult literacy rate in Lesotho was 96.5% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest youth/adult literacy rate recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 98.3% in 2016.
- What is the lowest youth/adult literacy rate recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 75.7% in 2006.
- How does Lesotho rank for youth/adult literacy rate?
- Lesotho ranks 37th out of 57 countries with data for 2024.
- Is youth/adult literacy rate rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Youth/adult literacy rate (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 5 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).