9 answers, 3 from Malawi's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
59.26% of candidates passed the 2026 Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examination, according to the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB). 111,510 of the 188,169 candidates who sat the exam passed.
To be awarded the certificate, a candidate must pass six subjects including English, with a credit in at least one, or five subjects including English, with credits in at least three. The MSCE is taken at the end of secondary school. Candidates can check individual results through MANEB's online results portal.
79.3% of Malawians aged 15 and over could read and write in 2024/25, according to the National Statistical Office Sixth Integrated Household Survey (IHS6): 84.2% of men and 74.9% of women.
For everyone aged five and over, the literacy rate was 71.1%, with 87.1% in urban areas. The survey asks people whether they can read and write, rather than testing them. The World Bank figure of 70.2% for adults refers to 2020 and uses an earlier source.
The net primary enrolment rate in Malawi was 90.2% in 2024/25, and the net secondary rate 15.2%, according to the National Statistical Office Sixth Integrated Household Survey (IHS6). Gross enrolment rates were 108.0% for primary and 22.1% for secondary.
The net rate counts children of official school age who are enrolled at that level. The gross rate counts all pupils at that level, including those older or younger than the official age, so it can exceed 100%. Dropout was 1.7% at primary and 10.9% at secondary level, and lack of money was the main reason given.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
In 2023, gross secondary school enrolment in Malawi was 36.6%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2005 it has ranged from 28.7% (2005) to 41.5% (2020). It is 15th highest of 19 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 46.9%. World rank, highest first: 134th of 138.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts gross tertiary enrolment in Malawi at 2.7% in 2022. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 13.9%, and Malawi placed 15th highest of 15. Worldwide: 119th of 119.
In 2020, the adult literacy rate in Malawi was 70.2%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 70.7%; Malawi is 5th highest of 8. World rank, highest first: 37th of 41.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, government spending on education in Malawi was 2.7% of GDP in 2022. Since 2010 it has ranged from 2.4% of GDP (2010) to 3.9% of GDP (2015). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 3.2% of GDP; Malawi is 26th highest of 39. Of 155 countries with 2022 data, 123rd highest.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2018, is 59. That is the lowest since at least 2007. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 39, and Malawi placed 2nd highest of 23. Of 85 countries with 2018 data, 2nd highest.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the primary completion rate in Malawi was 70.1% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 86.0%; its low point was 2006, at 60.7%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 77.3%; Malawi is 13th highest of 19. Of 104 countries with 2024 data, 96th highest.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error