Somalia: education

What is the literacy rate in Somalia?

53.7% of adults in Somalia were literate in 2022, according to the Somalia National Bureau of Statistics' Integrated Household Budget Survey. The rate was 63.6% for men and 45.3% for women, and the youth literacy rate was 70.3%.

Literacy is measured from survey answers about the ability to read and write, so it is self-reported. Rates are higher in urban areas, and 68.6% of rural respondents had no formal schooling. The Bureau's 2026 Socio-Demographic Survey gives literacy rates for five districts.

Official sources: Integrated Household Budget Survey

What is secondary school enrolment in Somalia?

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts gross secondary school enrolment in Somalia at 3.3% in 2023. In 2007 the figure was 6.0%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 46.9%, and Somalia placed 19th highest of 19. Worldwide: 138th of 138.

How many adults in Somalia can read?

54.1%: that is the adult literacy rate in Somalia for 2022, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 62.8%, and Somalia placed 9th highest of 12. Worldwide: 41st of 44.

What is Somalia's education spending?

0.0% of GDP: that is government spending on education in Somalia for 2023, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. No year since 2018 has been higher. It is 35th highest of 35 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 3.3% of GDP. Worldwide: 112th of 112.