Democratic Republic of the Congo: education

What is the literacy rate in the DR Congo?

68.5% of people aged 15 and over in the DR Congo could read and write in 2023, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO data. Among young people aged 15 to 24 the rate was 77.9%, according to the World Bank.

Literacy figures come from household surveys, so they are available only for some years and can differ between surveys. The youth rate was 84.1% in 2018, so the latest survey shows a lower figure than the previous one; differences in survey methods may account for part of the gap.

Official sources: World Bank: adult literacy rate, DR Congo · World Bank: youth literacy rate, DR Congo

How much does the DR Congo spend on education?

Government spending on education in the DR Congo was 2.84% of GDP in 2022, up from 1.45% in 2017, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO data.

International benchmarks suggest 4% to 6% of GDP for education. The figure covers government spending on education at all levels, not spending by families or donors, and it was 2.66% of GDP in 2021.

Official sources: World Bank: government expenditure on education, DR Congo

How many children finish primary school in the DR Congo?

The primary completion rate in the DR Congo was 75.7% in 2023, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO Institute for Statistics data. Gross enrolment in secondary school was 55.5%, according to the World Bank.

The completion rate compares the number of pupils entering the last year of primary school with the number of children of that age, so it is an approximate measure. Gross enrolment in primary school was 117.6%, above 100% because many pupils are older than the official age for their grade.

Official sources: World Bank: primary completion rate, DR Congo · World Bank: secondary enrolment, DR Congo · World Bank: primary enrolment, DR Congo

How well are children in the DR Congo learning?

96.6% of children in the DR Congo at the end of primary school age could not read and understand a simple text, or were out of school, in 2019, according to the World Bank's learning poverty indicator.

Learning poverty combines the share of pupils below minimum reading proficiency with the share of children not in school. It is based on learning assessments and enrolment data, which are infrequent in the DR Congo, so 2019 is the latest figure. It shows that many children who are enrolled do not reach basic reading levels.

Official sources: World Bank: learning poverty, DR Congo

How many people in the DR Congo go to university?

Gross enrolment in tertiary education in the DR Congo was 6.4% in 2020, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators, which use UNESCO Institute for Statistics data.

The rate compares the number of students in universities and other higher education institutions with the population in the five-year age group after secondary school. It was 5.9% in 2016. Higher education is overseen by the ministry for higher and university education; the UNESCO Institute for Statistics publishes the underlying data.

Official sources: World Bank: tertiary enrolment, DR Congo · UNESCO Institute for Statistics

What is secondary school enrolment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

In 2023, gross secondary school enrolment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 55.5%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2007. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 46.9%; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 8th highest of 19. Worldwide: 121st of 138.

How many people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo go to university?

The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2020, is 6.4%. Since 2006 it has ranged from 4.2% (2007) to 7.6% (2012). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 10.4%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 15th highest of 19. World rank, highest first: 123rd of 128.

How many adults in the Democratic Republic of the Congo can read?

The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2023, is 68.5%. In 2012 the figure was 75.0%. It is 4th highest of 7 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 68.5%. Worldwide: 30th of 33.

How much does the Democratic Republic of the Congo spend on education?

In 2022, government spending on education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 2.8% of GDP, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. That is the highest since at least 2010. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 3.2% of GDP; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is 25th highest of 39. Worldwide: 121st of 155.

How many students does each teacher have in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the number of primary pupils per teacher in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was 33 in 2015. No year since 2007 has been lower. It is 23rd highest of 35 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 39. Worldwide: 27th of 136.

How many children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo complete primary school?

The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2023, is 75.7%. Since 2007 it has ranged from 48.1% (2007) to 80.9% (2021). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 74.0%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo placed 12th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 113th of 131.