10 answers, 4 from Afghanistan's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
37.3% of adults aged 15 and over in Afghanistan could read and write in 2021, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics data on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. This is the latest year shown.
The adult literacy rate is the share of people aged 15 and over who can read and write a short simple statement about their everyday life. It is usually measured in household surveys or censuses, so it is updated only every few years.
New buildings have been constructed for 1,368 schools and religious madrasas over the past five years, and 4,160 others repaired and renovated, according to the Ministry of Education's statement of 6 October 2026.
The ministry says that in the first six months of the 1405 school year foundation stones were laid for new buildings at 42 more schools and madrasas, and repairs were completed at 160. These are counts of building works, not of the total number of schools or pupils. No national school enrolment count was found on the ministry's site.
Afghanistan's gross secondary school enrolment ratio was 59.6% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics data on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.
The gross ratio divides everyone enrolled in secondary school, of any age, by the population of official secondary school age, for boys and girls together. It does not show attendance or the split between boys and girls. For university, the gross tertiary enrolment ratio was 10.9% in 2020, the latest year shown.
The National Examination Authority's site lists registration open for the Kankor exams for general and religious education for the year 1406, and a registration guide for the 1405 Kankor for master's programmes, checked on 15 October 2026.
The Kankor is the national university entrance exam taken by grade 12 graduates. The authority publishes notices, top scorers and results on its site. No results table could be read on the site on 15 October 2026.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
In 2023, gross secondary school enrolment in Afghanistan was 59.6%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 89.9%, and Afghanistan placed 12th highest of 14. World rank, highest first: 119th of 138.
In 2020, gross tertiary enrolment in Afghanistan was 10.9%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. In 2011 the figure was 3.7%. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 51.6%; Afghanistan is 17th highest of 17. Worldwide: 117th of 128.
In 2021, the adult literacy rate in Afghanistan was 37.3%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. It was 31.5% in 2011. It is 8th highest of 8 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 83.9%. Worldwide: 42nd of 43.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts government spending on education in Afghanistan at 4.3% of GDP in 2017. The peak was 4.5% of GDP in 2016 and the low 2.6% of GDP in 2012. It is 6th highest of 14 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 4.0% of GDP. Worldwide: 77th of 162.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the number of primary pupils per teacher in Afghanistan was 49 in 2018. That is the highest since at least 2006. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 19; Afghanistan is 1st highest of 13. Worldwide: 5th of 85.
90.3%: that is the primary completion rate in Afghanistan for 2023, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. It is 10th highest of 14 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 95.4%. World rank, highest first: 94th of 131.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error