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Rock paintings in Tsodilo Hills, Botswana

Photo: Joachim Huber derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale

Education & Knowledge

joint102nd

of 198 countries placed

Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics

01The evidence

The 4 key statistics that decide it

Only these place Botswana 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.

Why these keys
  1. Key 1 of 4

    Out-of-School Rate, Primary

    UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

    Why it is a key

    Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Botswana’s is from 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    0.535

    Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)

    Lower is better

    Botswana: 0.535. 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 Southern Africa
    0.535 Botswana
    Land neighbours
    Namibia 0.865 · South Africa 6.064 · Zimbabwe 10.52
  2. Key 2 of 4

    Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary

    UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

    Why it is a key

    Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Botswana’s is from 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    55.89

    Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)

    Higher is better

    Botswana: 55.89. 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 Southern Africa
    92.8 Namibia
    Land neighbours
    Namibia 92.8 · South Africa 78.78 · Zimbabwe 56.5
  3. Key 3 of 4

    Upper Secondary Completion Rate

    UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

    Why it is a key

    2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    65.38

    Upper secondary completion rate (%)

    Higher is better

    Botswana: 65.38. 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 Southern Africa
    65.38 Botswana
    Land neighbours
    Namibia 37.58 · South Africa 54.12 · Zimbabwe 8.15
  4. Key 4 of 4

    Government Spending on Education

    UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

    Why it is a key

    2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    No reading

    Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)

    Higher is better

    UIS publishes no 2023 figure for Botswana, so the standing rests on the other keys.

    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 Southern Africa
    7.29 Lesotho
    Land neighbours
    South Africa 6.123 · Zimbabwe 0.385

03In context

Botswana 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.

Southern Africa
1st198thNot placed · 26 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on education & knowledge

Botswana and the countries it borders

Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.

CountryStandingOut-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)
Namibia80th0.86592.837.58—
Botswana=102nd0.53555.8965.38—
South Africa=102nd6.06478.7854.126.123
Zimbabwe=190th10.5256.58.150.385

“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is

Across Southern Africa

Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.

Placed either side on education & knowledge

The countries immediately above and below Botswana in the topic’s list.

04Context, no vote

Where Botswana is ahead of the world, and behind

24 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.

Every country

Ahead of the world median6

Statistics on which Botswana does better than the middle country measured.

  • Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.834▲ Improved since 2015

    Botswana: 0.834 · 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 43rd of 176 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4399.02▲ Improved since 2015

    Botswana: 99.02 · 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 57th of 165 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2193.37▲ Improved since 2015

    Botswana: 93.37 · 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 69th of 164 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93310.48No real change since 2013

    Botswana: 10.48 · 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 83rd of 193 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0868.5No earlier reading

    Botswana: 68.5 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.389▼ Worsened since 2014

    Botswana: 1.389 · world median 1.244 · Adjusted gender parity index, tertiary gross enrolment (1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.74 to 1.83; higher is better.

    Position 77th of 95 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

Behind the world median13

Statistics on which Botswana does worse than the middle country measured.

  • Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.836.6No earlier reading

    Botswana: 36.6 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Inbound Mobility Rate, TertiaryUIS · 2024 · world median 5.4943.815No real change since 2014

    Botswana: 3.815 · world median 5.494 · Inbound mobility rate, tertiary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.12; higher is better.

    Position 45th of 75 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0250.84No earlier reading

    Botswana: 50.84 · world median 34.02 · 10-year-olds who cannot read and understand a simple text (%). World Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.331 to 98.5; lower is better.

    Position 51st of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2293.96No earlier reading

    Botswana: 93.96 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32391.32▲ Improved since 2010

    Botswana: 391.32 · world median 414.32 · Harmonized test score (TIMSS-equivalent points; 300 = minimum, 625 = advanced attainment). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 304.92 to 575.27; higher is better.

    Position 113th of 172 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

  • Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9981.19No earlier reading

    Botswana: 81.19 · 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 120th of 172 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.95179.77No earlier reading

    Botswana: 179.77 · 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 102nd of 145 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7643.01▼ Worsened since 2019

    Botswana: 43.01 · 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 67th of 95 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3411.43▼ Worsened since 2013

    Botswana: 11.43 · 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 149th of 195 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.519No earlier reading

    Botswana: 0.519 · 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 37th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2017 dataset

  • Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7721.41▼ Worsened since 2014

    Botswana: 21.41 · world median 52.77 · Gross enrolment ratio, tertiary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.566 to 141.86; higher is better.

    Position 74th of 95 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.867.444▼ Worsened since 2019

    Botswana: 7.444 · 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 71st of 90 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9415.083▲ Improved since 2010

    Botswana: 5.083 · world median 7.941 · Learning-adjusted years of school (0–14). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.207 to 12.81; higher is better.

    Position 143rd of 172 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2020 dataset

No better end5

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 STEM GraduatesUIS · 2023 · world median 35.340.59Moved since 2020

    Botswana: 40.59 · world median 35.3 · STEM graduates who are women (%; 50 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 8.333 to 55.96.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2795.146Moved since 2013

    Botswana: 5.146 · world median 5.279 · Outbound mobility ratio, tertiary (% of tertiary enrolment at home). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.333 to 1,724.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2401,185No real change since 2022

    Botswana: 1,185 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1729.61No earlier reading

    Botswana: 29.61 · 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Share of Graduates from ICT ProgrammesUIS · 2023 · world median 5.6011.538Moved since 2020

    Botswana: 1.538 · world median 5.601 · Tertiary graduates from ICT programmes (% of all graduates). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 17.19.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

“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

06The top of the list

Who leads on education & knowledge

The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Botswana can most readily be measured against.

All 198 countries
  1. 1

    United Arab Emirates

    Western Asia

    1st of 198 · 2 of 4 keys

    Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale

  2. 2

    Greece

    Southern Europe

    2nd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys

    Photo: User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale

  3. 3

    Poland

    Eastern Europe

    3rd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys

    Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) · CC BY 3.0, greyscale

Placed highest nearby

  1. Highest placed on all 4 keys

    Moldova7th4/4 keys
  2. Highest in Africa

    Tunisia=48th3/4 keys
  3. Highest in Southern Africa

    Namibia80th3/4 keys
  4. This page

    Botswana=102nd3/4 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

Botswana 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 Botswana rank on education & knowledge?

Botswana is placed joint 102nd of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary and Upper Secondary Completion Rate). 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 Botswana?

0.535 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 Botswana?

55.89 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 Botswana compare with South Africa on education & knowledge?

South Africa is placed joint 102nd of 198, and Botswana joint 102nd. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: South Africa 6.064, Botswana 0.535; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: South Africa 78.78, Botswana 55.89; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: South Africa 54.12, Botswana 65.38.

How have Botswana’s education & knowledge figures changed?

Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 16.22 in 2000 to 0.535 in 2022; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 16.11 in 2005 to 55.89 in 2022; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 31.9 in 2000 to 65.38 in 2025; Government Spending on Education fell from 10.68 in 2005 to 8.058 in 2020.

Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Botswana?

No current reading is published for Botswana on Government Funding per Primary Student, Government Spending on Education, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age, Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate, Primary Schools with Electricity, Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching, Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary, Qualified Teachers in Primary Education, Research and Development Spending, School Life Expectancy, Secondary School Enrolment, Trust in Scientists 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.

About education & knowledge, in full

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

The other 24 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

Botswana’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.

Cite this page

Nations Inquiry (2026). Botswana: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/botswana/education

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