Lesotho Primary Enrollment
School enrollment, primary (% gross) SE.PRM.ENRR
Lesotho's primary enrollment was 78.09% in 2025, ranked 175th globally. This represents a 2.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Lesotho's primary enrollment stood at 78.09% in 2025, a decline of +2.09pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 78.09% by 2025. Lesotho ranked 175th globally.
Lesotho’s primary school enrollment has fallen dramatically over the past half‑century, slipping from a high of 90.08 % in 1970 to an all‑time peak of 129.98 % in 2006 before reaching a trough of 78.09 % in 2025, ranking 175th globally. The steep decline after 2006 reflects a combination of demographic pressures, limited fiscal capacity and persistent challenges in rural school access, which have eroded the gains made during the post‑independence expansion era. By contrast, neighbouring peer Honduras records a slightly higher enrollment of 79.36 % in the same year, suggesting that Lesotho’s recent performance lags behind comparable developing economies. The 56‑year coverage of the data underscores a long‑term downward trajectory, with the 2025 figure marking the lowest point since the series began. Continued investment in teacher recruitment, infrastructure in remote districts and targeted subsidies for vulnerable households will be crucial to reverse the trend and lift enrollment back toward the levels seen in the early 2000s.
Data & projection
| Year | Primary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 74.39% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 76.24% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 78.09% | - | - |
| 2025 | 78.09% | −2.09pp | #175 |
| 2024 | 80.18% | −1.46pp | #89 |
| 2023 | 81.64% | −1.99pp | #150 |
| 2022 | 83.63% | −1.40pp | #153 |
| 2021 | 85.04% | −2.71pp | #153 |
| 2020 | 87.74% | −3.53pp | #152 |
| 2019 | 91.28% | −4.73pp | #147 |
| 2018 | 96.01% | −9.55pp | #128 |
| 2017 | 105.56% | +1.31pp | #44 |
| 2016 | 104.25% | −0.97pp | #62 |
| 2015 | 105.22% | −2.63pp | #55 |
| 2014 | 107.84% | −2.65pp | #43 |
| 2013 | 110.49% | −4.81pp | #37 |
| 2012 | 115.31% | −1.87pp | #22 |
| 2011 | 117.18% | −1.39pp | #22 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lesotho matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw primary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lesotho's primary enrollment was 78.09% in 2025. Ranked 175th globally. This represents a 2.6% decrease from the previous year.
Lesotho's primary enrollment peaked at 129.98% in 2006.
The lowest primary enrollment in Lesotho was 78.09% in 2025.
Lesotho ranks 175th globally in primary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.PRM.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lesotho's primary enrollment is projected to reach 78.09% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The primary enrollment of Lesotho in 2025 was 78.09%. This ranks 175th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lesotho_primary-enrollment,
title = {Lesotho Primary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lesotho/primary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}