Zambia Secondary Enrollment
School enrollment, secondary (% gross) SE.SEC.ENRR
Zambia's secondary enrollment was 57.09% in 2025, ranked 146th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Zambia's secondary enrollment stood at 57.09% in 2025, a rise of +0.31pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 57.09% by 2025. Zambia ranked 146th globally.
Zambia’s secondary school enrollment has risen dramatically from 12.18 % in 1970 to 57.09 % in 2025, representing both the all‑time trough and the current peak for the indicator. This 44.91‑percentage‑point increase, achieved over 21 years of World Bank coverage, lifts Zambia to 146th place globally, just behind Seychelles (57.99 %) and ahead of Papua New Guinea (53.18 %). The steep climb reflects sustained government investment in universal secondary education, expanded school construction, and targeted scholarship programmes that have broadened access for rural and low‑income students. Nevertheless, the enrollment rate remains well below the regional average for southern African nations, suggesting persistent gaps in infrastructure, teacher supply, and socioeconomic barriers. Continued fiscal commitment, coupled with reforms that improve school quality and reduce dropout rates, will be crucial to maintain the upward trajectory and move Zambia closer to the levels observed in higher‑ranking peers such as San Marino (60.19 %).
Data & projection
| Year | Secondary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 59.19% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 58.14% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 57.09% | - | - |
| 2025 | 57.09% | +0.31pp | #146 |
| 2024 | 56.79% | +36.49pp | #62 |
| 1994 | 20.30% | −0.26pp | #58 |
| 1990 | 20.57% | +0.83pp | #51 |
| 1988 | 19.74% | +0.75pp | #47 |
| 1987 | 18.99% | −0.45pp | #52 |
| 1986 | 19.44% | +1.26pp | #60 |
| 1985 | 18.18% | +2.24pp | #60 |
| 1982 | 15.94% | +0.27pp | #55 |
| 1981 | 15.67% | −0.15pp | #64 |
| 1980 | 15.82% | +0.18pp | #60 |
| 1979 | 15.64% | −0.10pp | #51 |
| 1978 | 15.74% | +0.35pp | #52 |
| 1977 | 15.39% | +0.45pp | #53 |
| 1976 | 14.94% | +0.56pp | #60 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw secondary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zambia's secondary enrollment was 57.09% in 2025. Ranked 146th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from the previous year.
Zambia's secondary enrollment peaked at 57.09% in 2025.
The lowest secondary enrollment in Zambia was 12.18% in 1970.
Zambia ranks 146th globally in secondary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.SEC.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Zambia's secondary enrollment is projected to reach 57.09% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The secondary enrollment of Zambia in 2025 was 57.09%. This ranks 146th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_secondary-enrollment,
title = {Zambia Secondary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/secondary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}