Eswatini Youth Literacy Rate
Literacy rate among youth ages 15-24 SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS
Eswatini's youth literacy rate was 101.34% in 2025, ranked 2nd globally. This represents a 2.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1976–2025.
Overview
Eswatini's youth literacy rate stood at 101.34% in 2025, a rise of +2.68pp from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 101.34% by 2025. Eswatini ranked 2nd globally.
Eswatini’s youth literacy rate has risen dramatically since the earliest recorded figure of 75.45 % in 1976, reaching an all‑time peak of 101.34 % in 2025, the highest level among all nations and the second‑best globally. The upward trajectory, captured over six data points, reflects sustained investment in primary and secondary education, as well as targeted literacy programmes for adolescents. This performance exceeds that of peer countries such as Bhutan, which recorded 103.09 % in the same year, and Belize, with 100.93 %, highlighting Eswatini’s competitive edge in the region. The increase from the 1976 trough to the 2025 peak represents a 25.89‑percentage‑point gain, underscoring the effectiveness of policy reforms implemented during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Continued emphasis on teacher training, digital learning resources, and rural school outreach is likely to maintain the upward trend, though future shifts in funding or demographic pressures could alter the trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 101.34% | - | - |
| 2025 | 101.34% | +2.68pp | #2 |
| 2022 | 98.66% | +7.25pp | #26 |
| 2006 | 91.41% | −0.45pp | #24 |
| 2000 | 91.86% | +8.11pp | #32 |
| 1986 | 83.75% | +8.30pp | #2 |
| 1976 | 75.45% | – | #4 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Eswatini matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth literacy rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Eswatini's youth literacy rate was 101.34% in 2025. Ranked 2nd globally. This represents a 2.7% increase from the previous year.
Eswatini's youth literacy rate peaked at 101.34% in 2025.
The lowest youth literacy rate in Eswatini was 75.45% in 1976.
Eswatini ranks 2nd globally in youth literacy rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Eswatini's youth literacy rate is projected to reach 101.34% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth literacy rate of Eswatini in 2025 was 101.34%. This ranks 2nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_eswatini_youth-literacy-rate,
title = {Eswatini Youth Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/eswatini/youth-literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}