Photo: Mishimito · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Gambia: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Gambia is placed 168th 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 18.85 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 59.03 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
168th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 18.85Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 59.03Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 34.02Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- 2.808Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Gambia 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 · Gambia’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
18.85
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Gambia: 18.85. 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 Western Africa
- 0.639 Togo
- Land neighbours
- Senegal 24.53
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Gambia’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
59.03
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Gambia: 59.03. 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 Western Africa
- 90.61 Togo
- Land neighbours
- Senegal 25.39
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
34.02
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Gambia: 34.02. 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 Western Africa
- 57.75 Nigeria
- Land neighbours
- Senegal 16.22
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
2.808
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
Gambia: 2.808. 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 Western Africa
- 6.163 Senegal
- Land neighbours
- Senegal 6.163
02Over time
Which way Gambia 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
GambiaWorld median
Gambia fell from 42.92 in 2000 to 18.85 in 2024; the world median went from 8.642 to 3.691.
Every year’s figures
Year Gambia World median 2024 18.849 3.691 2023 18.782 3.393 2022 18.784 3.002 2021 19.024 3.330 2020 18.436 2.678 2019 20.255 2.758 2018 23.645 2.439 2017 25.355 2.907 2016 27.853 2.954 2015 29.456 3.052 2014 32.466 3.904 2013 34.615 3.413 2012 35.145 3.408 2011 37.990 3.626 2010 36.812 3.491 2009 — 3.577 2008 38.945 3.878 2007 35.603 4.029 2006 37.703 4.338 2005 42.107 4.571 2004 40.632 3.791 2003 41.345 4.412 2002 44.494 4.144 2001 42.827 4.051 2000 42.921 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
GambiaWorld median
Gambia rose from 32.21 in 2007 to 59.03 in 2024; the world median went from 86.72 to 85.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Gambia World median 2024 59.03 85.9 2023 56.49 87.6 2022 55.67 87.7 2021 56.40 87.0 2020 57.33 88.3 2019 57.28 88.8 2018 54.93 89.6 2017 53.25 87.4 2016 51.11 87.9 2015 51.36 88.2 2014 49.26 89.2 2013 41.19 88.0 2012 — 85.4 2011 — 86.2 2010 45.75 86.1 2009 — 84.8 2008 — 85.8 2007 32.21 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
GambiaWorld median
Gambia rose from 16.33 in 2000 to 34.02 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Gambia World median 2025 34.0 64.9 2024 33.1 65.0 2023 32.3 64.2 2022 31.4 63.6 2021 30.6 62.9 2020 29.9 62.2 2019 29.4 61.5 2018 28.9 60.9 2017 28.4 60.5 2016 28.0 60.1 2015 27.4 58.9 2014 26.9 57.0 2013 26.5 54.7 2012 26.2 52.4 2011 25.9 50.9 2010 25.5 49.5 2009 24.9 48.5 2008 24.0 47.4 2007 23.1 46.2 2006 22.2 45.0 2005 21.2 43.8 2004 20.2 42.9 2003 19.3 41.6 2002 18.4 40.3 2001 17.5 39.0 2000 16.3 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
GambiaWorld median
Gambia rose from 1.466 in 2000 to 2.808 in 2023; the world median went from 3.886 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year Gambia World median 2023 2.8084 3.7092 2022 2.8917 4.0570 2021 3.0448 4.2611 2020 2.8873 4.4056 2019 2.8081 4.1407 2018 2.3654 4.2159 2017 2.4592 4.1401 2016 2.0244 4.2342 2015 2.1600 4.2386 2014 2.2309 4.2005 2013 1.8184 4.3493 2012 2.6376 4.0348 2011 2.5012 3.9987 2010 2.5632 4.1396 2009 1.9081 4.6638 2008 2.1813 4.4226 2007 0.8169 4.1717 2006 0.7516 4.0593 2005 0.6919 4.0557 2004 0.6225 3.9745 2003 1.3634 4.1595 2002 1.4429 4.0173 2001 1.1581 4.1002 2000 1.4659 3.8861
03In context
Gambia 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.
Gambia 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Senegal | 159th | 24.53 | 25.39 | 16.22 | 6.163 |
| Gambia | 168th | 18.85 | 59.03 | 34.02 | 2.808 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western 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 Gambia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Gambia 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.
Ahead of the world median3
Statistics on which Gambia does better than the middle country measured.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.3890.446No earlier reading
Gambia: 0.389 · 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 112th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.8210.619▲ Improved since 2015
Gambia: 0.821 · 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 53rd of 176 · derived.
Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.831.244▼ Worsened since 1999
Gambia: 1.83 · 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 95th of 95 · derived.
Behind the world median19
Statistics on which Gambia does worse than the middle country measured.
Qualified Teachers in Primary EducationUIS · 2024 · world median 93.6689.8493.66▲ Improved since 2014
Gambia: 89.84 · 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.
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.3340.529No earlier reading
Gambia: 0.334 · 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.
Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.34313.986.343▲ Improved since 2014
Gambia: 13.98 · 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 33rd of 116 · derived, 1st = worst.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2157.0489.21No real change since 2015
Gambia: 57.04 · 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 119th of 164 · derived.
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment RateUIS · 2024 · world median 65.9340.9465.93▲ Improved since 2014
Gambia: 40.94 · 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 88th of 120 · derived.
Pupils per Qualified Teacher, PrimaryUIS · 2024 · world median 20.6735.6820.67▲ Improved since 2014
Gambia: 35.68 · 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 23rd of 92 · derived, 1st = worst.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9415.3757.941▲ Improved since 2010
Gambia: 5.375 · 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 138th of 172 · derived.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4374.7897.43No real change since 2015
Gambia: 74.78 · 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 134th of 165 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.9550.86701.95No earlier reading
Gambia: 50.86 · 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 126th of 145 · derived.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32352.9414.32▲ Improved since 2010
Gambia: 352.9 · 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 150th of 172 · derived.
Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7713.4852.77▲ Improved since 1995
Gambia: 13.48 · 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 83rd of 95 · derived.
Upper Secondary AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 65.7624.865.76▼ Worsened since 2015
Gambia: 24.8 · 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 85th of 95 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9334.6759.933No real change since 2013
Gambia: 4.675 · 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 173rd of 193 · derived.
Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.667.33198.66▲ Improved since 2022
Gambia: 7.331 · world median 98.66 · Primary schools with internet access for teaching (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.348.97813.34▲ Improved since 2013
Gambia: 8.978 · 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 180th of 195 · derived.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9951.6493.99No earlier reading
Gambia: 51.64 · 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 159th of 172 · derived.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 10052.71100▼ Worsened since 2016
Gambia: 52.71 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2267.4998.22No earlier reading
Gambia: 67.49 · 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.
Bachelor's or Higher AttainmentUIS · 2023 · world median 19.862.5119.86No real change since 2015
Gambia: 2.51 · 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 86th of 90 · derived.
No better end2
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2405712,240No real change since 2022
Gambia: 571 · 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 38.1727.238.17No earlier reading
Gambia: 27.2 · 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 Gambia
Female Share of STEM Graduates (last 2012), Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2015), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary (last 2012), Learning Poverty, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Primary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Primary, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary (last 2012), PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Research and Development Spending (last 2018), School Life Expectancy (last 2010), Secondary School Enrolment (last 2021), Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes (last 2011) and Trust in Scientists (last 2018). 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 Gambia’s 16 topics
Education & Knowledge is Gambia’s 9th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability4th of 1862/4 keys
- Peace & Security27th of 1774/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties84th of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions86th of 1944/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality117th of 1593/3 keys
- Gender & Equality141st of 1834/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience149th of 1934/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 159th of 2004/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge168th of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade157th of 1774/4 keys
- Work & Labour167th of 1824/4 keys
- Digital & Technology183rd of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital184th of 1963/3 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 168th of 1763/4 keys
- Energy161st of 1652/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture180th of 1843/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Gambia 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 Western Africa
Togo94th4/4 keysThis page
Gambia168th4/4 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
Gambia 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 Gambia rank on education & knowledge?
Gambia is placed 168th 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 Gambia?
18.85 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 Gambia?
59.03 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 Gambia compare with Senegal on education & knowledge?
Senegal is placed 159th of 198, and Gambia 168th. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Senegal 24.53, Gambia 18.85; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Senegal 25.39, Gambia 59.03; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Senegal 16.22, Gambia 34.02; Government Spending on Education: Senegal 6.163, Gambia 2.808.
How have Gambia’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 42.92 in 2000 to 18.85 in 2024; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 32.21 in 2007 to 59.03 in 2024; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 16.33 in 2000 to 34.02 in 2025; Government Spending on Education rose from 1.466 in 2000 to 2.808 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Gambia?
No current reading is published for Gambia on Female Share of STEM Graduates, Government Funding per Primary Student, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Learning Poverty, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Primary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Primary, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Research and Development Spending, School Life Expectancy, Secondary School Enrolment, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes and Trust in Scientists. 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 24 statistics on this page come from 5 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
Gambia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Gambia (banner) — Mishimito, CC BY 2.0
- 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). Gambia: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/gambia/education