Education in Dakar Region, Senegal: official figures
68.1% of people aged 10 and over in Dakar could read and write in some language at the 2023 census (71.8% of men and 64.5% of women), 3rd highest of 14 regions (Senegal: 62.2%).
How many children in Dakar are out of school?
241,434 children aged 6 to 16 in Dakar, 27.5% of that age group, were not in school at the 2023 census although schooling is compulsory at those ages, 2nd lowest of 14 regions (Senegal: 40.7%).
Source: Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD) · saved copyHow many children in Dakar have never been to school?
8.6% of children aged 6 to 16 in Dakar had never been to school at the 2023 census, 2nd lowest of 14 regions (Senegal: 20.9%).
Source: Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD) · saved copyHow many children in Dakar go to primary school?
78.2% of children of primary-school age (6 to 11) in Dakar were attending primary school in 2023, 3rd highest of 14 regions (Senegal: 59.2%).
Source: ANSD with the Ministry of Health and Social Action and ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many young people in Dakar go to secondary school?
51.1% of young people of secondary-school age (12 to 18) in Dakar were attending secondary school in 2023, 2nd highest of 14 regions (Senegal: 36.5%).
Source: ANSD with the Ministry of Health and Social Action and ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Dakar Region compares with other regions
Literacy rate, age 10+ (2023 census) (2023)
Dakar Region ranks 3 of 14, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Literacy rate, age 10+ (2023 census) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ziguinchor Region | 69.2% |
| 2 | Kaolack Region | 69.2% |
| 3 | Dakar Region | 68.1% |
| 4 | Kaffrine Region | 65.6% |
| 5 | Fatick Region | 63.7% |
| 6 | Thiès Region | 63.0% |
| 7 | Sédhiou Region | 60.7% |
Children 6-16 out of school (2023 census) (2023)
Dakar Region ranks 13 of 14, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children 6-16 out of school (2023 census) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Kolda Region | 41.8% |
| 9 | Sédhiou Region | 40.3% |
| 10 | Kaolack Region | 39.9% |
| 11 | Fatick Region | 34.1% |
| 12 | Thiès Region | 33.0% |
| 13 | Dakar Region | 27.5% |
| 14 | Ziguinchor Region | 21.4% |
Primary net attendance rate (ages 6-11) (2023)
Dakar Region ranks 3 of 14, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Primary net attendance rate (ages 6-11) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ziguinchor Region | 88.8% |
| 2 | Kédougou Region | 86.8% |
| 3 | Dakar Region | 78.2% |
| 4 | Kolda Region | 73.5% |
| 5 | Thiès Region | 66.8% |
| 6 | Fatick Region | 61.6% |
| 7 | Sédhiou Region | 57.5% |
More on Dakar Region: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · Senegal
Sources
- ANSD with the Ministry of Health and Social Action and ICF (The DHS Program): Senegal Continuous Demographic and Health Survey 2023 (EDS-Continue 2023), tables volume (July 2024): Tables 2.12, 2.18, 5.2, 9.7, 10.4, 11.1 and 12.1 by region, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c1fffc1c6f81…)
- Agence Nationale de la Statistique et de la Démographie (ANSD): RGPH-5 2023 final report, chapter 2: literacy and schooling (Tables II-5, II-14 and II-27 by region), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7aff3a1e56b3…)
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