8 answers, 1 from the Gambia's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
51.6% of adults aged 15 and over in The Gambia could read and write in 2021, according to the World Bank, which publishes UNESCO data. The rate was 53.2% in 2018 and 36.8% in 2000.
Adult literacy is measured mainly through household surveys, where respondents are asked to read a simple sentence. Year-to-year differences can reflect survey design as much as real change. GBoS publishes education indicators such as completion rates by region on its education data pages.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, net primary school enrolment in the Gambia was 76.8% in 2018. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 17th highest of 19 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 90.7%. Worldwide: 63rd of 69.
In 2021, gross secondary school enrolment in the Gambia was 107.0%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. In 2010 the figure was 45.5%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 55.4%, and the Gambia placed 1st highest of 23. World rank, highest first: 25th of 140.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross tertiary enrolment in the Gambia was 13.5% in 2024. It was 1.2% in 2012. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 12.9%, and the Gambia placed 7th highest of 14. World rank, highest first: 79th of 90.
51.6%: that is the adult literacy rate in the Gambia for 2021, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. In 2000 the figure was 36.8%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 75.2%; the Gambia is 11th highest of 14. World rank, highest first: 39th of 43.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, government spending on education in the Gambia was 2.8% of GDP in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 3.0% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 0.7% of GDP. It is 25th highest of 35 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 3.3% of GDP. Worldwide: 83rd of 112.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the number of primary pupils per teacher in the Gambia at 36 in 2018. The peak was 45 in 2014 and the low 34 in 2012. It is 15th highest of 23 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 39. Worldwide: 18th of 85.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the primary completion rate in the Gambia at 84.2% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher.
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