9 answers, 2 from Kuwait's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
The adult literacy rate in Kuwait was 96.46% in 2020, according to the World Bank's literacy series, based on UNESCO data for people aged 15 and over. The gross tertiary enrolment ratio was 51.90% in 2021, according to the World Bank's tertiary enrolment series.
Both figures cover the whole resident population, including foreign residents. A gross enrolment ratio counts all students enrolled against the population of the usual university age. The Ministry of Education runs public schools; no current national education statistics could be read on its site on 15 October 2026.
Government spending on education in Kuwait was 6.44% of GDP in 2024, up from 5.03% in 2023, according to UNESCO data on World Bank Open Data. It was 6.58% in 2022.
The share moves with GDP, which in Kuwait rises and falls with oil prices, as well as with the education budget. Public schools and universities are free for Kuwaiti citizens. The Central Statistical Bureau publishes an annual bulletin of education statistics, whose 2024/2025 file could not be downloaded on 15 October 2026.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2018, is 82.6%. No year since 2005 has been lower. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 94.1%; Kuwait is 8th highest of 11. World rank, highest first: 55th of 69.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross secondary school enrolment in Kuwait was 95.4% in 2015. Since 2005 it has ranged from 93.1% (2014) to 108.6% (2005). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 94.4%; Kuwait is 6th highest of 12. Of 148 countries with 2015 data, 69th highest.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross tertiary enrolment in Kuwait was 51.9% in 2021. The peak was 59.2% in 2016 and the low 50.4% in 2019. It is 8th highest of 16 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 49.7%. Worldwide: 66th of 120.
In 2020, the adult literacy rate in Kuwait was 96.5%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 3rd highest of 5 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 96.5%. Of 41 countries with 2020 data, 14th highest.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, government spending on education in Kuwait was 6.4% of GDP in 2024. The peak was 7.8% of GDP in 2021 and the low 3.8% of GDP in 2006. World rank, highest first: 7th of 36.
In 2018, the number of primary pupils per teacher in Kuwait was 9, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The peak was 12 in 2005 and the low 8 in 2010. It is 13th highest of 13 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 19. Worldwide: 84th of 85.
80.4%: that is the primary completion rate in Kuwait for 2021, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 93.6%, and Kuwait placed 12th highest of 15. World rank, highest first: 109th of 130.
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