Lesotho Youth Literacy Rate
Literacy rate among youth ages 15-24 SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS
Lesotho's youth literacy rate was 97.79% in 2025, ranked 39th globally. This represents a 1.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Lesotho's youth literacy rate stood at 97.79% in 2025, a rise of +1.31pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 97.79% by 2025. Lesotho ranked 39th globally.
Lesotho’s youth literacy rate has risen sharply from 90.93 % in 2000 to 97.79 % in 2025, placing the country 39th globally according to the World Bank. The most pronounced gain occurred after the all‑time trough of 75.71 % in 2006, a period that coincided with intensified primary‑school expansion and adult‑education programmes, and the rate peaked at 98.26 % in 2016 before modestly receding. Compared with peer nations of similar rank, Lesotho trails El Salvador’s 98.06 % and the Dominican Republic’s 98.08 % but exceeds Nepal’s 97.09 % and South Africa’s 96.84 % for the same age cohort. The nine‑year coverage window captures a sustained upward trajectory, suggesting that continued investment in teacher training and digital learning resources could close the remaining gap with the highest‑performing peers and push the youth literacy rate beyond the 98 % threshold in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 98.36% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 98.08% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 97.79% | - | - |
| 2025 | 97.79% | +1.31pp | #39 |
| 2024 | 96.48% | −0.99pp | #17 |
| 2019 | 97.47% | +2.28pp | #36 |
| 2018 | 95.19% | −3.07pp | #36 |
| 2016 | 98.26% | +6.28pp | #25 |
| 2014 | 91.98% | +3.63pp | #33 |
| 2009 | 88.35% | +12.64pp | #32 |
| 2006 | 75.71% | −15.22pp | #32 |
| 2000 | 90.93% | – | #33 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lesotho matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. 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
Lesotho's youth literacy rate was 97.79% in 2025. Ranked 39th globally. This represents a 1.4% increase from the previous year.
Lesotho's youth literacy rate peaked at 98.26% in 2016.
The lowest youth literacy rate in Lesotho was 75.71% in 2006.
Lesotho ranks 39th globally in youth literacy rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lesotho's youth literacy rate is projected to reach 97.79% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth literacy rate of Lesotho in 2025 was 97.79%. This ranks 39th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lesotho_youth-literacy-rate,
title = {Lesotho Youth Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lesotho/youth-literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}