Lesotho Tertiary Enrollment
School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) SE.TER.ENRR
Lesotho's tertiary enrollment was 9.94% in 2018, ranked 124th globally. This represents a 3.6% decrease from 2017. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2018.
Overview
Lesotho's tertiary enrollment stood at 9.94% in 2018, a decline of +0.37pp from 2017. Lesotho ranked 124th globally.
Lesotho’s tertiary enrolment rate rose from a modest 0.49 % in 1970 to 9.94 % in 2018, placing the country 124th globally and slightly below Uzbekistan’s 9.96 % share. The upward trajectory accelerated after the early‑1970s trough of 0.37 % in 1972, reaching an all‑time peak of 10.85 % in 2012 before a modest decline to the 2018 level. Over the 40‑year coverage period, the increase reflects expanding higher‑education infrastructure and policy reforms aimed at widening access, yet the rate remains well below regional averages and the 2020 global average of roughly 20 %. Continued growth will depend on sustained public investment, alignment of curricula with labour‑market needs, and improvements in secondary‑school completion, factors that could lift enrolment further and narrow the gap with peers such as Pakistan, which recorded 8.21 % in the same year.
Data & projection
| Year | Tertiary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 9.94% | −0.37pp | #124 |
| 2017 | 10.31% | +0.59pp | #125 |
| 2015 | 9.73% | −0.69pp | #130 |
| 2014 | 10.42% | −0.04pp | #118 |
| 2013 | 10.46% | −0.40pp | #112 |
| 2012 | 10.85% | +7.18pp | #113 |
| 2006 | 3.68% | +0.23pp | #110 |
| 2005 | 3.45% | +0.75pp | #107 |
| 2003 | 2.70% | +0.46pp | #113 |
| 2002 | 2.25% | −0.03pp | #114 |
| 2001 | 2.27% | +0.19pp | #101 |
| 2000 | 2.09% | +0.15pp | #92 |
| 1999 | 1.93% | −0.48pp | #64 |
| 1996 | 2.41% | +0.05pp | #33 |
| 1995 | 2.36% | −0.06pp | #39 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lesotho matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw tertiary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lesotho's tertiary enrollment was 9.94% in 2018. Ranked 124th globally. This represents a 3.6% decrease from the previous year.
Lesotho's tertiary enrollment peaked at 10.85% in 2012.
The lowest tertiary enrollment in Lesotho was 0.37% in 1972.
Lesotho ranks 124th globally in tertiary enrollment as of 2018.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.TER.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
The tertiary enrollment of Lesotho in 2018 was 9.94%. This ranks 124th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lesotho_tertiary-enrollment,
title = {Lesotho Tertiary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lesotho/tertiary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}