Photo: Tequendamia · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Burundi: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Burundi is placed 193rd of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Out-of-School Rate, Primary 20.62 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 43.95 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
193rd
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 4 key statistics
- 20.62Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 43.95Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 10.2Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- —Government Spending on Education, 2023No reading for this country
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Burundi 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 · Burundi’s is from 2020 · CC BY-SA 4.0
20.62
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Burundi: 20.62. 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 Eastern Africa
- 0.785 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Rwanda 0.97 · Tanzania 16.37
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Burundi’s is from 2020 · CC BY-SA 4.0
43.95
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Burundi: 43.95. 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 Eastern Africa
- 92.12 Kenya
- Land neighbours
- Rwanda 80.35 · Tanzania 67.97
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
10.2
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Burundi: 10.2. 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 Eastern Africa
- 55.96 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- DR Congo 26.38 · Rwanda 22.71 · Tanzania 8.67
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
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 Burundi, 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 Eastern Africa
- 4.92 Rwanda
- Land neighbours
- Rwanda 4.92 · Tanzania 3.259
02Over time
Which way Burundi 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
BurundiWorld median
Burundi fell from 57.68 in 2000 to 20.62 in 2020; the world median went from 8.642 to 2.678.
Every year’s figures
Year Burundi World median 2024 — 3.691 2023 — 3.393 2022 — 3.002 2021 — 3.330 2020 20.6 2.678 2019 21.1 2.758 2018 19.6 2.439 2017 16.9 2.907 2016 12.7 2.954 2015 11.1 3.052 2014 8.9 3.904 2013 11.9 3.413 2012 6.5 3.408 2011 5.3 3.626 2010 5.8 3.491 2009 9.3 3.577 2008 6.9 3.878 2007 14.6 4.029 2006 22.1 4.338 2005 39.6 4.571 2004 43.2 3.791 2003 44.8 4.412 2002 48.2 4.144 2001 48.8 4.051 2000 57.7 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
BurundiWorld median
Burundi rose from 24.36 in 2009 to 43.95 in 2020; the world median went from 84.79 to 88.32.
Every year’s figures
Year Burundi World median 2024 — 85.9 2023 — 87.6 2022 — 87.7 2021 — 87.0 2020 44.0 88.3 2019 42.6 88.8 2018 37.8 89.6 2017 34.9 87.4 2016 33.3 87.9 2015 30.4 88.2 2014 20.7 89.2 2013 18.4 88.0 2012 16.9 85.4 2011 16.1 86.2 2010 16.7 86.1 2009 24.4 84.8 2008 — 85.8 2007 — 86.7 2006 — 84.0 2005 — 82.2 2004 — 81.8 2003 — 78.3 2002 — 80.0 2001 — 80.8 2000 — 66.3 Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
BurundiWorld median
Burundi rose from 2.59 in 2000 to 10.2 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Burundi World median 2025 10.2 64.9 2024 9.9 65.0 2023 9.5 64.2 2022 9.2 63.6 2021 8.8 62.9 2020 8.5 62.2 2019 8.2 61.5 2018 7.8 60.9 2017 7.6 60.5 2016 7.3 60.1 2015 7.0 58.9 2014 6.7 57.0 2013 6.2 54.7 2012 5.7 52.4 2011 5.3 50.9 2010 4.9 49.5 2009 4.5 48.5 2008 4.1 47.4 2007 3.8 46.2 2006 3.5 45.0 2005 3.2 43.8 2004 3.0 42.9 2003 2.9 41.6 2002 2.8 40.3 2001 2.7 39.0 2000 2.6 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
BurundiWorld median
Burundi rose from 2.645 in 2000 to 4.871 in 2021; the world median went from 3.886 to 4.261.
Every year’s figures
Year Burundi World median 2023 — 3.7092 2022 — 4.0570 2021 4.871 4.2611 2020 5.322 4.4056 2019 5.347 4.1407 2018 5.079 4.2159 2017 4.762 4.1401 2016 4.692 4.2342 2015 6.371 4.2386 2014 6.785 4.2005 2013 5.995 4.3493 2012 6.168 4.0348 2011 6.319 3.9987 2010 6.775 4.1396 2009 6.172 4.6638 2008 5.193 4.4226 2007 — 4.1717 2006 — 4.0593 2005 3.632 4.0557 2004 3.745 3.9745 2003 — 4.1595 2002 3.005 4.0173 2001 2.904 4.1002 2000 2.645 3.8861
03In context
Burundi 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.
Burundi 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Rwanda | 100th | 0.97 | 80.35 | 22.71 | 4.92 |
 Tanzania | 169th | 16.37 | 67.97 | 8.67 | 3.259 |
| Burundi | 193rd | 20.62 | 43.95 | 10.2 | — |
 DR Congo | not placed | — | — | 26.38 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern 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 Burundi in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Burundi is ahead of the world, and behind
18 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 median2
Statistics on which Burundi does better than the middle country measured.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.3970.446No earlier reading
Burundi: 0.397 · 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 107th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32422.75414.32▲ Improved since 2010
Burundi: 422.75 · 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 78th of 172 · derived.
Behind the world median13
Statistics on which Burundi does worse than the middle country measured.
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.2060.529No earlier reading
Burundi: 0.206 · world median 0.529 · Adjusted wealth parity index, lower secondary completion (poorest vs richest fifth; 1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.032 to 1.022; higher is better.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.81843.8No earlier reading
Burundi: 18 · 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.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2288.498.22No earlier reading
Burundi: 88.4 · 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.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9971.3493.99No earlier reading
Burundi: 71.34 · 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 139th of 172 · derived.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9415.1657.941▲ Improved since 2010
Burundi: 5.165 · 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 141st of 172 · derived.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.1440.619▲ Improved since 2015
Burundi: 0.144 · 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 153rd of 176 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.349.82913.34▼ Worsened since 2013
Burundi: 9.829 · 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 174th of 195 · derived.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4360.4597.43▲ Improved since 2015
Burundi: 60.45 · 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 150th of 165 · derived.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2133.6989.21▲ Improved since 2015
Burundi: 33.69 · 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 151st of 164 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9333.4749.933▲ Improved since 2013
Burundi: 3.474 · 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 183rd of 193 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.9522.48701.95No earlier reading
Burundi: 22.48 · 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 138th of 145 · derived.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0295.8234.02No earlier reading
Burundi: 95.82 · 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 5th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.084.560.08No earlier reading
Burundi: 4.5 · 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.
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.
Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2795.7785.279Moved since 2013
Burundi: 5.778 · 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.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2403382,240No real change since 2022
Burundi: 338 · 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.
Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1714.3138.17No earlier reading
Burundi: 14.31 · 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.
No current reading for Burundi
Bachelor's or Higher Attainment (last 2017), Female Share of STEM Graduates (last 2018), Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment (last 2023), Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2013), Government Spending on Education (last 2021), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary (last 2023), 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 (last 2020), Out-of-School Rate, Primary (last 2020), Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary (last 2020), PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate (last 2020), Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2019), Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching (last 2019), Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary (last 2020), Qualified Teachers in Primary Education (last 2020), Research and Development Spending (last 2018), School Life Expectancy (last 2018), Secondary School Enrolment (last 2020), Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes (last 2018), Tertiary Enrolment Ratio (last 2023), Trust in Scientists (last 2018) and Upper Secondary Attainment (last 2020). 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 Burundi’s 15 topics
Education & Knowledge is Burundi’s 15th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energyjoint 28th of 1652/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainability38th of 1864/4 keys
- Work & Labour71st of 1824/4 keys
- Digital & Technology149th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equality142nd of 1834/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture150th of 1842/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience159th of 1933/4 keys
- Peace & Security147th of 1774/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation157th of 1762/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality146th of 1593/3 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 182nd of 1963/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 186th of 2004/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties186th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions185th of 1944/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge193rd of 1983/4 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Burundi 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 Africa
Tunisia=48th3/4 keysHighest in Eastern Africa
Mauritius=61st4/4 keysThis page
Burundi193rd3/4 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
Burundi 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 Burundi rank on education & knowledge?
Burundi is placed 193rd 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 Burundi?
20.62 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 Burundi?
43.95 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 Burundi compare with DR Congo on education & knowledge?
DR Congo is not placed on Education & Knowledge, holding too few of its key statistics, and Burundi 193rd. Upper Secondary Completion Rate: DR Congo 26.38, Burundi 10.2.
How have Burundi’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 57.68 in 2000 to 20.62 in 2020; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 24.36 in 2009 to 43.95 in 2020; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 2.59 in 2000 to 10.2 in 2025; Government Spending on Education rose from 2.645 in 2000 to 4.871 in 2021.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Burundi?
No current reading is published for Burundi on Bachelor's or Higher Attainment, Female Share of STEM Graduates, Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment, Government Funding per Primary Student, Government Spending on Education, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, 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, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Tertiary Enrolment Ratio, Trust in Scientists and Upper Secondary Attainment. 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 18 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
Burundi’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Burundi (banner) — Tequendamia, CC0
- 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). Burundi: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/burundi/education