10 answers, 3 from Mozambique's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
61.7% of Mozambicans aged 15 and over could read and write in 2022, according to the World Bank, using UNESCO Institute for Statistics data. The rate was 59.8% in 2020.
Literacy rates are usually estimated from surveys or censuses that ask whether people can read and write a simple sentence, so they are a basic measure. They are typically lower among women and in rural areas.
Mozambique's gross primary enrolment ratio was 119% in 2022, according to the World Bank, using UNESCO data.
A gross ratio counts all primary pupils, whatever their age, against the number of children of official primary school age, so it can exceed 100% when many pupils are older than the official age because they started late or repeated years. It does not show how many children complete school or what they learn. The Ministry of Education publishes annual school statistics, but its website could not be reached on 15 October 2026.
Government spending on education in Mozambique was 5.98% of GDP in 2022, down from 6.34% in 2021, according to the World Bank.
The figure covers spending by all levels of government. It does not include what households pay for uniforms, books or private schooling. The ratio is relative to GDP, so it can change because the economy grows or shrinks as well as because spending changes.
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 Mozambique was 93.9% in 2018. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 6th highest of 19 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 90.7%. World rank, highest first: 30th of 69.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts gross secondary school enrolment in Mozambique at 37.2% in 2017. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 19th highest of 26 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 44.0%. World rank, highest first: 126th of 134.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross tertiary enrolment in Mozambique was 7.5% in 2018. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 12th highest of 20 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 10.8%. Worldwide: 119th of 127.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the adult literacy rate in Mozambique at 61.7% in 2022. That compares with 50.6% in 2009. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 62.8%; Mozambique is 7th highest of 12. Of 44 countries with 2022 data, 39th highest.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, government spending on education in Mozambique was 6.0% of GDP in 2022. The peak was 6.4% of GDP in 2014 and the low 3.7% of GDP in 2006. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 3.2% of GDP; Mozambique is 3rd highest of 39. World rank, highest first: 23rd of 155.
55: that is the number of primary pupils per teacher in Mozambique for 2018, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2005 it has ranged from 52 (2017) to 67 (2006). It is 3rd highest of 23 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 39. Worldwide: 3rd of 85.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the primary completion rate in Mozambique at 72.4% in 2022. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 11th highest of 23 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 70.6%. Worldwide: 111th of 127.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error