Kuwait Primary Completion Rate
Primary completion rate (% of relevant age group) SE.PRM.CMPT.ZS
Kuwait's primary completion rate was 80.43% in 2021, ranked 118th globally. This represents a 3.5% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1971–2021.
Overview
Kuwait's primary completion rate stood at 80.43% in 2021, a decline of +2.96pp from 2020. Kuwait ranked 118th globally.
Kuwait’s primary completion rate rose from 53.57 % in 1971 to a historic high of 113.92 % in 2005, before settling at 80.43 % in 2021, placing the nation 118th globally. The sharp increase during the 1970s and 1980s reflects expanded public schooling and substantial oil‑financed investment in education, while the all‑time trough of 45.67 % in 1974 coincided with the early stages of the country’s rapid economic development. Over the 40‑year coverage period, the rate has remained above the peer average of the Democratic Republic of Congo (80.94 %) and close to that of Papua New Guinea (81.00 %). The modest decline from the 2005 peak suggests that gains from earlier reforms have tapered, possibly due to demographic pressures and a growing expatriate population that dilutes national statistics. Continued emphasis on curriculum quality and targeted enrollment incentives could reverse the slight downward drift and sustain higher completion levels in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Primary Completion Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 80.43% | −2.96pp | #118 |
| 2020 | 83.39% | +0.88pp | #108 |
| 2019 | 82.51% | −5.93pp | #117 |
| 2018 | 88.44% | −2.15pp | #106 |
| 2017 | 90.59% | −4.71pp | #91 |
| 2016 | 95.31% | −2.25pp | #81 |
| 2013 | 97.55% | +1.05pp | #59 |
| 2012 | 96.51% | −3.87pp | #70 |
| 2011 | 100.38% | −0.82pp | #36 |
| 2010 | 101.20% | −6.37pp | #26 |
| 2007 | 107.57% | −6.35pp | #7 |
| 2005 | 113.92% | +11.61pp | #4 |
| 2004 | 102.31% | +3.45pp | #26 |
| 2003 | 98.86% | +7.11pp | #38 |
| 2002 | 91.75% | +8.76pp | #79 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kuwait matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw primary completion rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kuwait's primary completion rate was 80.43% in 2021. Ranked 118th globally. This represents a 3.5% decrease from the previous year.
Kuwait's primary completion rate peaked at 113.92% in 2005.
The lowest primary completion rate in Kuwait was 45.67% in 1974.
Kuwait ranks 118th globally in primary completion rate as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.PRM.CMPT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The primary completion rate of Kuwait in 2021 was 80.43%. This ranks 118th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kuwait_primary-completion-rate,
title = {Kuwait Primary Completion Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kuwait/primary-completion-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}