Sri Lanka Primary Enrollment
School enrollment, primary (% gross) SE.PRM.ENRR
Sri Lanka's primary enrollment was 89.80% in 2025, ranked 152nd globally. This represents a 1.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Sri Lanka's primary enrollment stood at 89.80% in 2025, a decline of +1.65pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 89.80% by 2025. Sri Lanka ranked 152nd globally.
Sri Lanka's primary school enrollment rate stood at 89.80% in 2025, ranking the country 152nd globally, a position comparable to El Salvador’s 90.00% and slightly above Paraguay’s 89.35%. This figure marks a notable decline from earlier levels, particularly the all-time peak of 123.75% recorded in 1985, which reflected both strong access and potential systemic factors such as grade repetition or delayed enrollment. The lowest point in the historical series occurred in 1976, when enrollment dipped to 83.17%, before recovering and fluctuating over the subsequent decades. Since the early 1970s, coverage spans 52 years of data, showing a general trend of volatility superimposed on a long-term decline from its high point. The current rate falls below the ideal benchmark of universal enrollment, suggesting persistent challenges in access, retention, or demographic reporting. While the system once demonstrated capacity to exceed 100%, recent figures indicate a need for targeted reforms. Sustained improvements would likely depend on addressing regional disparities, economic barriers, and education quality to reverse the downward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Primary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 88.77% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 89.80% | - | - |
| 2025 | 89.80% | −1.65pp | #152 |
| 2023 | 91.45% | −1.53pp | #133 |
| 2022 | 92.98% | −1.47pp | #133 |
| 2021 | 94.46% | −0.77pp | #127 |
| 2020 | 95.23% | −0.24pp | #128 |
| 2019 | 95.47% | −0.46pp | #127 |
| 2018 | 95.93% | −0.69pp | #129 |
| 2017 | 96.62% | −0.32pp | #130 |
| 2016 | 96.94% | −0.51pp | #129 |
| 2015 | 97.45% | +0.02pp | #126 |
| 2014 | 97.43% | +0.22pp | #129 |
| 2013 | 97.21% | +0.09pp | #125 |
| 2012 | 97.12% | −0.10pp | #134 |
| 2011 | 97.22% | −0.24pp | #134 |
| 2010 | 97.45% | +4.77pp | #134 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sri Lanka 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
Sri Lanka's primary enrollment was 89.80% in 2025. Ranked 152nd globally. This represents a 1.8% decrease from the previous year.
Sri Lanka's primary enrollment peaked at 123.75% in 1985.
The lowest primary enrollment in Sri Lanka was 83.17% in 1976.
Sri Lanka ranks 152nd globally in primary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.PRM.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Sri Lanka's primary enrollment is projected to reach 89.80% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The primary enrollment of Sri Lanka in 2025 was 89.80%. This ranks 152nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sri-lanka_primary-enrollment,
title = {Sri Lanka Primary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sri-lanka/primary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}