Photo: John Storr · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Kenya: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Kenya is placed 137th 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 32.9 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 92.12 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
137th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 32.9Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 92.12Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 41.64Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- 3.962Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Kenya 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 · Kenya’s is from 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0
32.9
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Kenya: 32.9. 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
- Ethiopia 22.46 · South Sudan 64.73 · 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 · Kenya’s is from 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
92.12
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Kenya: 92.12. 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
- Ethiopia 62.59 · South Sudan 9.452 · 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
41.64
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Kenya: 41.64. 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
- Ethiopia 15.45 · Somalia 8.79 · South Sudan 2.13 · Tanzania 8.67 · Uganda 17.77
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
3.962
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
Kenya: 3.962. 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
- Ethiopia 2.927 · Somalia 0 · Tanzania 3.259
02Over time
Which way Kenya 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
KenyaWorld median
Kenya fell from 34.95 in 2000 to 32.9 in 2022; the world median went from 8.642 to 3.002.
Every year’s figures
Year Kenya World median 2024 — 3.691 2023 — 3.393 2022 32.9 3.002 2021 36.3 3.330 2020 — 2.678 2019 — 2.758 2018 — 2.439 2017 — 2.907 2016 — 2.954 2015 — 3.052 2014 — 3.904 2013 — 3.413 2012 17.3 3.408 2011 — 3.626 2010 — 3.491 2009 7.6 3.577 2008 9.4 3.878 2007 5.0 4.029 2006 15.2 4.338 2005 14.7 4.571 2004 15.9 3.791 2003 15.0 4.412 2002 29.4 4.144 2001 27.2 4.051 2000 35.0 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
KenyaWorld median
Kenya rose from 47.41 in 2001 to 92.12 in 2023; the world median went from 80.76 to 87.61.
Every year’s figures
Year Kenya World median 2024 — 85.9 2023 92.12 87.6 2022 — 87.7 2021 — 87.0 2020 — 88.3 2019 — 88.8 2018 — 89.6 2017 — 87.4 2016 — 87.9 2015 — 88.2 2014 — 89.2 2013 — 88.0 2012 — 85.4 2011 — 86.2 2010 — 86.1 2009 47.05 84.8 2008 43.42 85.8 2007 46.17 86.7 2006 45.53 84.0 2005 45.80 82.2 2004 46.07 81.8 2003 47.40 78.3 2002 45.50 80.0 2001 47.41 80.8 2000 — 66.3 Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
KenyaWorld median
Kenya rose from 23.76 in 2000 to 41.64 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Kenya World median 2025 41.6 64.9 2024 41.2 65.0 2023 40.8 64.2 2022 40.4 63.6 2021 39.8 62.9 2020 39.3 62.2 2019 38.9 61.5 2018 38.4 60.9 2017 37.9 60.5 2016 37.5 60.1 2015 36.9 58.9 2014 36.1 57.0 2013 35.0 54.7 2012 33.7 52.4 2011 32.3 50.9 2010 31.0 49.5 2009 29.9 48.5 2008 29.0 47.4 2007 28.0 46.2 2006 27.0 45.0 2005 26.3 43.8 2004 25.6 42.9 2003 25.2 41.6 2002 24.7 40.3 2001 24.3 39.0 2000 23.8 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
KenyaWorld median
Kenya fell from 5.187 in 2000 to 3.962 in 2023; the world median went from 3.886 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year Kenya World median 2023 3.96 3.7092 2022 4.51 4.0570 2021 4.89 4.2611 2020 5.05 4.4056 2019 5.37 4.1407 2018 5.11 4.2159 2017 4.96 4.1401 2016 4.90 4.2342 2015 4.74 4.2386 2014 4.72 4.2005 2013 4.84 4.3493 2012 4.93 4.0348 2011 4.70 3.9987 2010 4.82 4.1396 2009 — 4.6638 2008 — 4.4226 2007 — 4.1717 2006 7.05 4.0593 2005 7.34 4.0557 2004 6.80 3.9745 2003 6.49 4.1595 2002 6.17 4.0173 2001 5.21 4.1002 2000 5.19 3.8861
03In context
Kenya 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.
Kenya 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | 137th | 32.9 | 92.12 | 41.64 | 3.962 |
 Tanzaniacompare | 169th | 16.37 | 67.97 | 8.67 | 3.259 |
 Ethiopiacompare | 178th | 22.46 | 62.59 | 15.45 | 2.927 |
 Somalia | 197th | — | — | 8.79 | 0 |
 South Sudan | 198th | 64.73 | 9.452 | 2.13 | — |
 Ugandacompare | not placed | — | — | 17.77 | — |
“—”: 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 Kenya in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Kenya is ahead of the world, and behind
22 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 median4
Statistics on which Kenya does better than the middle country measured.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.8640.619▲ Improved since 2015
Kenya: 0.864 · 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 29th of 176 · derived.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32454.96414.32▲ Improved since 2010
Kenya: 454.96 · 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 52nd of 172 · derived.
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.6920.529No earlier reading
Kenya: 0.692 · 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.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9418.4697.941▲ Improved since 2017
Kenya: 8.469 · 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 74th of 172 · derived.
Behind the world median14
Statistics on which Kenya does worse than the middle country measured.
Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2440.7931.244▲ Improved since 2015
Kenya: 0.793 · 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 34th of 95 · derived.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8140.8040.814▲ Improved since 2022
Kenya: 0.804 · world median 0.814 · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 6.346; higher is better.
Position 43rd of 84 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.836.943.8No earlier reading
Kenya: 36.9 · 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.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.4810.446No earlier reading
Kenya: 0.481 · 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 58th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9338.6259.933▲ Improved since 2013
Kenya: 8.625 · 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 121st of 193 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.95384.02701.95No earlier reading
Kenya: 384.02 · 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 91st of 145 · derived.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4388.3697.43▲ Improved since 2015
Kenya: 88.36 · 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 112th of 165 · derived.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2293.1898.22No earlier reading
Kenya: 93.18 · 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 93.9982.2393.99No earlier reading
Kenya: 82.23 · 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 118th of 172 · derived.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2160.3489.21▼ Worsened since 2015
Kenya: 60.34 · 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 114th of 164 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3411.4713.34▲ Improved since 2013
Kenya: 11.47 · 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 148th of 195 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0825.560.08No earlier reading
Kenya: 25.5 · 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.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0279.2934.02No earlier reading
Kenya: 79.29 · 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 25th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7710.4252.77▼ Worsened since 2015
Kenya: 10.42 · 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 88th of 95 · derived.
No better end4
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 2,24011,7062,240No real change since 2022
Kenya: 11,706 · 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 38.1744.5338.17No earlier reading
Kenya: 44.53 · 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.
Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of BirthNobel Prize Outreach · 2025 · world median 212No earlier reading
Kenya: 1 · world median 2 · Laureates born in the country, 1901 to date (people). Nobel Prize Outreach, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 296.
Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.3518.4434.35Moved since 2018
Kenya: 18.44 · 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 Kenya
Bachelor's or Higher Attainment (last 2022), Female Share of STEM Graduates, Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2015), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary (last 2019), Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age (last 2006), Out-of-School Rate, Primary (last 2022), Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary (last 2019), Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary (last 2023), PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate (last 2023), Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2023), Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching (last 2023), Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary (last 2023), Qualified Teachers in Primary Education (last 2023), School Life Expectancy (last 2023), Secondary School Enrolment (last 2023), Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes (last 2019) and Upper Secondary Attainment (last 2022). 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 Kenya’s 16 topics
Education & Knowledge is Kenya’s 10th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Mobility & Trade44th of 1772/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability47th of 1864/4 keys
- Energy49th of 1653/3 keys
- Digital & Technology72nd of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation82nd of 1764/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 96th of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties106th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 106th of 1834/4 keys
- Peace & Security111th of 1774/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge137th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour139th of 1824/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing166th of 2004/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital167th of 1963/3 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 165th of 1934/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 158th of 1844/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality141st of 1593/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Kenya 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
Kenya137th4/4 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
Kenya 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 Kenya rank on education & knowledge?
Kenya is placed 137th 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 Kenya?
32.9 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 Kenya?
92.12 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 Kenya compare with Ethiopia on education & knowledge?
Ethiopia is placed 178th of 198, and Kenya 137th. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Ethiopia 22.46, Kenya 32.9; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Ethiopia 62.59, Kenya 92.12; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Ethiopia 15.45, Kenya 41.64; Government Spending on Education: Ethiopia 2.927, Kenya 3.962.
How have Kenya’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 34.95 in 2000 to 32.9 in 2022; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 47.41 in 2001 to 92.12 in 2023; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 23.76 in 2000 to 41.64 in 2025; Government Spending on Education fell from 5.187 in 2000 to 3.962 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Kenya?
No current reading is published for Kenya on Bachelor's or Higher Attainment, Female Share of STEM Graduates, Government Funding per Primary Student, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age, Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary, 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, School Life Expectancy, Secondary School Enrolment, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes 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 22 statistics on this page come from 8 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
Kenya’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Kenya (banner) — John Storr, 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). Kenya: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/kenya/education