Photo: Martin St-Amant ( S23678 ); derivative work (noise reduction to sky) by Julia W · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Bolivia: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Bolivia is placed 82nd of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Out-of-School Rate, Primary 9.251 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 79.65 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
82nd
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 9.251Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 79.65Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 82.46Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- 7.894Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Bolivia on education & knowledge — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Bolivia’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
9.251
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Bolivia: 9.251. Across the 192 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.004 (United Arab Emirates) to 65.6 (Equatorial Guinea); the world median is 3.691.
- World median
- 3.691
- Best in South America
- 0.035 Uruguay
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 0.735 · Brazil 2.187 · Chile 2.121 · Peru 0.156 · Paraguay 13.33
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Bolivia’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
79.65
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Bolivia: 79.65. Across the 187 countries at their latest reading, values run from 3.411 (Yemen) to 100 (United Arab Emirates); the world median is 85.9.
- World median
- 85.9
- Best in South America
- 99.8 Peru
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 94.03 · Brazil 93.15 · Chile 88.86 · Peru 99.8 · Paraguay 74.97
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
82.46
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Bolivia: 82.46. Across the 164 countries in this edition, values run from 2.13 (South Sudan) to 99.27 (South Korea); the world median is 64.87.
- World median
- 64.87
- Best in South America
- 86.87 Chile
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 68.55 · Brazil 72.18 · Chile 86.87 · Peru 86.72 · Paraguay 68.65
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
7.894
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
Bolivia: 7.894. Across the 123 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Somalia) to 16.39 (Kiribati); the world median is 3.709.
- World median
- 3.709
- Best in South America
- 7.894 Bolivia
- Land neighbours
- Argentina 5.003 · Peru 4.245 · Paraguay 3.394
02Over time
Which way Bolivia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%) · lower is better
BoliviaWorld median
Bolivia rose from 0.084 in 2000 to 9.251 in 2024; the world median went from 8.642 to 3.691.
Every year’s figures
Year Bolivia World median 2024 9.251 3.691 2023 4.157 3.393 2022 3.381 3.002 2021 4.163 3.330 2020 5.046 2.678 2019 5.985 2.758 2018 7.200 2.439 2017 8.874 2.907 2016 10.352 2.954 2015 11.110 3.052 2014 11.128 3.904 2013 10.614 3.413 2012 9.793 3.408 2011 6.774 3.626 2010 4.263 3.491 2009 1.441 3.577 2008 0.268 3.878 2007 0.483 4.029 2006 0.524 4.338 2005 0.547 4.571 2004 0.656 3.791 2003 0.412 4.412 2002 0.247 4.144 2001 0.251 4.051 2000 0.084 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
BoliviaWorld median
Bolivia rose from 66.32 in 2000 to 79.65 in 2024; the world median went from 66.32 to 85.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Bolivia World median 2024 79.65 85.9 2023 87.10 87.6 2022 88.71 87.7 2021 90.87 87.0 2020 93.34 88.3 2019 92.19 88.8 2018 90.50 89.6 2017 90.89 87.4 2016 91.06 87.9 2015 85.00 88.2 2014 82.58 89.2 2013 80.00 88.0 2012 76.33 85.4 2011 77.04 86.2 2010 74.66 86.1 2009 76.50 84.8 2008 58.35 85.8 2007 69.00 86.7 2006 73.08 84.0 2005 73.21 82.2 2004 72.45 81.8 2003 69.48 78.3 2002 67.54 80.0 2001 67.06 80.8 2000 66.32 66.3 Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
BoliviaWorld median
Bolivia rose from 49.09 in 2000 to 82.46 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Bolivia World median 2025 82 64.9 2024 81 65.0 2023 80 64.2 2022 79 63.6 2021 78 62.9 2020 77 62.2 2019 75 61.5 2018 73 60.9 2017 72 60.5 2016 70 60.1 2015 69 58.9 2014 67 57.0 2013 66 54.7 2012 64 52.4 2011 63 50.9 2010 62 49.5 2009 61 48.5 2008 60 47.4 2007 59 46.2 2006 58 45.0 2005 56 43.8 2004 55 42.9 2003 54 41.6 2002 52 40.3 2001 51 39.0 2000 49 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
BoliviaWorld median
Bolivia rose from 6.434 in 2006 to 7.894 in 2023; the world median went from 4.059 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year Bolivia World median 2023 7.894 3.7092 2022 7.576 4.0570 2021 7.962 4.2611 2020 8.437 4.4056 2019 8.091 4.1407 2018 8.016 4.2159 2017 8.097 4.1401 2016 8.151 4.2342 2015 8.143 4.2386 2014 7.478 4.2005 2013 6.803 4.3493 2012 6.628 4.0348 2011 6.451 3.9987 2010 6.974 4.1396 2009 7.575 4.6638 2008 6.723 4.4226 2007 6.720 4.1717 2006 6.434 4.0593 2005 — 4.0557 2004 — 3.9745 2003 — 4.1595 2002 — 4.0173 2001 — 4.1002 2000 — 3.8861
03In context
Bolivia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on education & knowledge, never a place within the region.
Bolivia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Out-of-School Rate, PrimaryOut-of-school rate, primary age (%) | Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before PrimaryChildren one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) | Upper Secondary Completion RateUpper secondary completion rate (%) | Government Spending on EducationGovernment expenditure on education (% of GDP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Peru | =19th | 0.156 | 99.8 | 86.72 | 4.245 |
 Argentina | 47th | 0.735 | 94.03 | 68.55 | 5.003 |
 Chile | 58th | 2.121 | 88.86 | 86.87 | — |
 Brazil | =72nd | 2.187 | 93.15 | 72.18 | — |
| Bolivia | 82nd | 9.251 | 79.65 | 82.46 | 7.894 |
 Paraguay | =144th | 13.33 | 74.97 | 68.65 | 3.394 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
Placed either side on education & knowledge
The countries immediately above and below Bolivia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Bolivia is ahead of the world, and behind
21 more statistics filed under education & knowledge, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median8
Statistics on which Bolivia does better than the middle country measured.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2299.7898.22No earlier reading
Bolivia: 99.78 · world median 98.22 · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 36.7 to 100; higher is better.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3415.6113.34▼ Worsened since 2013
Bolivia: 15.61 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 52nd of 195 · derived.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2195.5289.21▲ Improved since 2015
Bolivia: 95.52 · world median 89.21 · Lower secondary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13.73 to 100; higher is better.
Position 59th of 164 · derived.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9996.7393.99No earlier reading
Bolivia: 96.73 · world median 93.99 · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.83 to 100; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 172 · derived.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4398.4797.43▲ Improved since 2015
Bolivia: 98.47 · world median 97.43 · Primary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.94 to 100; higher is better.
Position 73rd of 165 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93310.029.933▲ Improved since 2013
Bolivia: 10.02 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 94th of 193 · derived.
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment RateUIS · 2024 · world median 65.9367.3665.93▲ Improved since 2014
Bolivia: 67.36 · world median 65.93 · Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.779 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 59th of 120 · derived.
Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.8620.1219.86No real change since 2013
Bolivia: 20.12 · world median 19.86 · Adults 25+ who completed a bachelor's degree or higher (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.135 to 52.72; higher is better.
Position 45th of 90 · derived.
Behind the world median9
Statistics on which Bolivia does worse than the middle country measured.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.5820.619▼ Worsened since 2015
Bolivia: 0.582 · world median 0.619 · Academic freedom index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.019 to 0.978; higher is better.
Position 98th of 176 · derived.
Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.3438.1096.343No real change since 2014
Bolivia: 8.109 · world median 6.343 · Out-of-school rate, lower secondary age (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.011 to 79.71; lower is better.
Position 49th of 116 · derived, 1st = worst.
Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7653.8165.76▼ Worsened since 2013
Bolivia: 53.81 · world median 65.76 · Adults 25+ who completed upper secondary or higher (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.26 to 97.89; higher is better.
Position 58th of 95 · derived.
Secondary School EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 93.1990.5393.19▼ Worsened since 2014
Bolivia: 90.53 · world median 93.19 · Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 19.87 to 158.55; higher is better.
Position 67th of 109 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.9563.06701.95No earlier reading
Bolivia: 63.06 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 121st of 145 · derived.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.5510.446No earlier reading
Bolivia: 0.551 · world median 0.446 · Correlation between own and parents' years of schooling, born 1980–89 (0–1). World Bank Group, 2017 edition, data for 2017.
Published values in that edition run from 0.123 to 0.66; lower is better.
Position 23rd of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0815.260.08No earlier reading
Bolivia: 15.2 · world median 60.08 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in reading (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 98.78; higher is better.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.87.743.8No earlier reading
Bolivia: 7.7 · world median 43.8 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in mathematics (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.8 to 93.42; higher is better.
Pupils per Qualified Teacher, PrimaryUIS · 2024 · world median 20.67284.720.67No earlier reading
Bolivia: 284.7 · world median 20.67 · Primary pupils per qualified teacher (headcount basis). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 8.244 to 284.7; lower is better.
Position 1st of 92 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Qualified Teachers in Primary EducationUIS · 2024 · world median 93.6693.6693.66▲ Improved since 2014
Bolivia: 93.66 · world median 93.66 · Primary teachers with the minimum qualifications their country requires (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1744.0838.17No earlier reading
Bolivia: 44.08 · world median 38.17 · Researchers who are women (% of headcount; 50 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.54.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2402,3802,240Moved since 2022
Bolivia: 2,380 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3512.5434.35No real change since 2018
Bolivia: 12.54 · world median 34.35 · People aged 15+ who trust scientists in their country 'a lot' (%). Wellcome Trust, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 9.335 to 72.35.
No current reading for Bolivia
Female Share of STEM Graduates, Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment, Government Funding per Primary Student, Harmonized Test Scores, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Learning Poverty, Learning-Adjusted Years of School, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2013), Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching, Research and Development Spending (last 2021), School Life Expectancy (last 1972), Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Tertiary Enrolment Ratio and Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary Completion. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Education & Knowledge among Bolivia’s 16 topics
Education & Knowledge is Bolivia’s 4th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Work & Labourjoint 29th of 1824/4 keys
- Gender & Equality33rd of 1834/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability64th of 1864/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge82nd of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience92nd of 1934/4 keys
- Energyjoint 85th of 1653/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties107th of 1984/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality92nd of 1593/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing124th of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation113th of 1764/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital127th of 1963/3 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 117th of 1774/4 keys
- Digital & Technology140th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions143rd of 1944/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture148th of 1843/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade164th of 1772/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Bolivia can most readily be measured against.
1
United Arab EmiratesWestern Asia
1st of 198 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
GreeceSouthern Europe
2nd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
PolandEastern Europe
3rd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) · CC BY 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
Moldova7th4/4 keysHighest in Americas
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines11th3/4 keysHighest in South America
Peru=19th4/4 keysThis page
Bolivia82nd4/4 keys
Positions out of 198 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Bolivia on education & knowledge: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Bolivia rank on education & knowledge?
Bolivia is placed 82nd of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, Upper Secondary Completion Rate and Government Spending on Education). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Out-of-School Rate, Primary figure for Bolivia?
9.251 in 2024 (out-of-school rate, primary age (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 3.691.
What is the latest Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary figure for Bolivia?
79.65 in 2024 (children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 85.9.
How does Bolivia compare with Brazil on education & knowledge?
Brazil is placed joint 72nd of 198, and Bolivia 82nd. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Brazil 2.187, Bolivia 9.251; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Brazil 93.15, Bolivia 79.65; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Brazil 72.18, Bolivia 82.46.
How have Bolivia’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary rose from 0.084 in 2000 to 9.251 in 2024; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 66.32 in 2000 to 79.65 in 2024; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 49.09 in 2000 to 82.46 in 2025; Government Spending on Education rose from 6.434 in 2006 to 7.894 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Bolivia?
No current reading is published for Bolivia on Female Share of STEM Graduates, Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment, Government Funding per Primary Student, Harmonized Test Scores, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Learning Poverty, Learning-Adjusted Years of School, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Primary Schools with Electricity, Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching, Research and Development Spending, School Life Expectancy, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Tertiary Enrolment Ratio and Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary Completion. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
How much children actually learn is only partly covered. International test scores exist for a limited group of countries, and they are published here as context rather than used as a key, because a key must describe most of the world. Universities, research, and youth and adult literacy also appear as context.
How the Education & Knowledge standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The education & knowledge method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Out-of-School Rate, Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Upper Secondary Completion Rate — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Government Spending on Education — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 21 statistics on this page come from 6 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Bolivia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Bolivia (banner) — Martin St-Amant ( S23678 ); derivative work (noise reduction to sky) by Julia W, CC BY-SA 3.0
- United Arab Emirates — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Greece — User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Poland — Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich), CC BY 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Bolivia: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/bolivia/education