Zambia Tertiary Enrollment
School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) SE.TER.ENRR
Zambia's tertiary enrollment was 3.96% in 2012, ranked 135th globally. This represents a 0.7% decrease from 2011. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2012.
Overview
Zambia's tertiary enrollment stood at 3.96% in 2012, a decline of +0.03pp from 2011. Zambia ranked 135th globally.
Zambia’s tertiary enrollment rate has risen from a trough of 0.39 % in 1970 to a modest 3.96 % in 2012, placing the country at 135th globally. The all‑time peak of 3.99 % was reached in 2011, indicating that the recent increase has largely plateaued after three decades of gradual expansion. Compared with regional peers, Zambia’s 2012 figure matches Tanzania’s 3.96 % and remains slightly below Madagascar’s 4.05 % while exceeding Uganda’s 3.75 % and Burundi’s 2.92 %. The slow but steady climb reflects expanded university capacity and government scholarship programmes, yet the persistently low participation suggests structural constraints such as limited funding, inadequate secondary completion rates and labour‑market mismatches. Maintaining the upward trajectory will likely depend on sustained investment in higher‑education infrastructure, stronger linkages with industry and policies that improve access for under‑represented groups, which could lift enrollment beyond the current plateau.
Data & projection
| Year | Tertiary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 3.96% | −0.03pp | #135 |
| 2011 | 3.99% | +1.61pp | #129 |
| 1999 | 2.38% | −0.02pp | #57 |
| 1998 | 2.40% | +0.31pp | #26 |
| 1990 | 2.08% | +0.05pp | #46 |
| 1989 | 2.03% | −0.12pp | #45 |
| 1988 | 2.15% | +0.20pp | #44 |
| 1987 | 1.96% | −0.29pp | #49 |
| 1986 | 2.25% | +0.79pp | #51 |
| 1984 | 1.46% | −0.06pp | #49 |
| 1983 | 1.52% | +0.06pp | #44 |
| 1982 | 1.46% | +0.04pp | #50 |
| 1981 | 1.43% | −0.07pp | #53 |
| 1979 | 1.50% | −0.05pp | #44 |
| 1978 | 1.55% | +0.00pp | #36 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw tertiary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zambia's tertiary enrollment was 3.96% in 2012. Ranked 135th globally. This represents a 0.7% decrease from the previous year.
Zambia's tertiary enrollment peaked at 3.99% in 2011.
The lowest tertiary enrollment in Zambia was 0.39% in 1970.
Zambia ranks 135th globally in tertiary enrollment as of 2012.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.TER.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
The tertiary enrollment of Zambia in 2012 was 3.96%. This ranks 135th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_tertiary-enrollment,
title = {Zambia Tertiary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/tertiary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}