Uganda Primary Completion Rate
Primary completion rate (% of relevant age group) SE.PRM.CMPT.ZS
Uganda's primary completion rate was 53.31% in 2017, ranked 131st globally. This represents a 3.1% decrease from 2016. Data from World Bank, covering 1975–2017.
Overview
Uganda's primary completion rate stood at 53.31% in 2017, a decline of +1.72pp from 2016. Uganda ranked 131st globally.
Uganda’s primary completion rate has risen markedly since the mid‑1970s, climbing from 37.15% in 1975 to a 2017 level of 53.31%, which placed the country 131st in the world. The most significant advance occurred in 2009, when the rate peaked at 73.85%, before falling to a historic low of 36.09% in 1986 amid the turmoil of the civil war and economic collapse. Over the subsequent two decades the upward trajectory has been steady but modest, reflecting expanded enrollment policies and increased public spending on education, yet still lagging behind regional peers such as Sudan (56.87%) and Mozambique (50.64%). The persistence of resource constraints, especially in rural districts, continues to limit further gains. Strengthening teacher training, improving school infrastructure and sustaining fiscal commitments are likely to determine whether Uganda can translate its past progress into a higher, more durable completion rate in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Primary Completion Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 53.31% | −1.72pp | #131 |
| 2016 | 55.04% | −4.39pp | #142 |
| 2014 | 59.43% | +3.64pp | #132 |
| 2013 | 55.79% | +0.28pp | #133 |
| 2012 | 55.51% | +1.15pp | #130 |
| 2011 | 54.36% | −1.62pp | #128 |
| 2010 | 55.98% | −17.87pp | #126 |
| 2009 | 73.85% | +17.45pp | #109 |
| 2008 | 56.40% | +4.53pp | #119 |
| 2007 | 51.87% | −4.66pp | #119 |
| 2005 | 56.53% | −1.38pp | #116 |
| 2004 | 57.91% | −3.17pp | #116 |
| 2003 | 61.08% | −0.44pp | #104 |
| 2002 | 61.52% | +2.13pp | #104 |
| 2001 | 59.39% | +23.30pp | #101 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Uganda matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw primary completion rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Uganda's primary completion rate was 53.31% in 2017. Ranked 131st globally. This represents a 3.1% decrease from the previous year.
Uganda's primary completion rate peaked at 73.85% in 2009.
The lowest primary completion rate in Uganda was 36.09% in 1986.
Uganda ranks 131st globally in primary completion rate as of 2017.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.PRM.CMPT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The primary completion rate of Uganda in 2017 was 53.31%. This ranks 131st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uganda_primary-completion-rate,
title = {Uganda Primary Completion Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uganda/primary-completion-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}