Education in Upper Nile State, South Sudan: official figures
58% of children of primary school age (6 to 13) in Upper Nile were attending school in 2025, 4th highest of the 10 states (South Sudan: 42%).
How many teenagers in Upper Nile attend secondary school?
5% of young people of secondary school age (14 to 17) in Upper Nile were attending secondary school in 2025, 5th lowest of the 10 states (South Sudan: 6%).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics, South Sudan (with UNICEF) · saved copyHow many children in Upper Nile finish primary school?
22% of young people a few years above primary-completion age in Upper Nile had completed primary school, and 5% had completed secondary school, in 2025; 3rd highest of the 10 states for primary completion (South Sudan: 15% and 8%).
Source: National Bureau of Statistics, South Sudan (with UNICEF) · saved copyDo young children in Upper Nile go to nursery or pre-school?
14% of children aged 3 and 4 in Upper Nile attended early childhood education in 2025, and 35% of five-year-olds were in organised learning (South Sudan: 12% and 25%); 4th highest of the 10 states for five-year-olds.
Source: National Bureau of Statistics, South Sudan (with UNICEF) · saved copyHow many pupils are there per teacher in Upper Nile?
Schools in Upper Nile had 73 pupils per teacher and 141 pupils per qualified teacher in the 2023 Annual Education Census, 2nd most crowded of the 10 states for pupils per qualified teacher (South Sudan: 46 and 77).
Source: Ministry of General Education and Instruction, South Sudan · saved copyHow Upper Nile State compares with other states
Primary-age children attending school (adjusted net attendance, age 6-13) (2025)
Upper Nile State ranks 4 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Primary-age children attending school (adjusted net attendance, age 6-13) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Equatoria | 70% |
| 2 | Western Bahr el Ghazal | 65% |
| 3 | Central Equatoria | 63% |
| 4 | Upper Nile State | 58% |
| 5 | Northern Bahr el Ghazal | 42% |
| 6 | Lakes State | 35% |
| 7 | Eastern Equatoria | 34% |
Primary school completion rate (2025)
Upper Nile State ranks 3 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Primary school completion rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Equatoria | 33% |
| 2 | Western Bahr el Ghazal | 24% |
| 3 | Upper Nile State | 22% |
| 4 | Western Equatoria | 19% |
| 5 | Jonglei State | 15% |
| 6 | Warrap State | 15% |
| 7 | Eastern Equatoria | 12% |
Pupils per qualified teacher (2023)
Upper Nile State ranks 2 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Pupils per qualified teacher |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Bahr el Ghazal | 149 |
| 2 | Upper Nile State | 141 |
| 3 | Unity State | 102 |
| 4 | Jonglei State | 93 |
| 5 | Western Bahr el Ghazal | 81 |
| 6 | Lakes State | 68 |
| 7 | Warrap State | 66 |
More on Upper Nile State: overview · health · South Sudan
Sources
- Ministry of General Education and Instruction, South Sudan: National Education Census Summary Report 2023 (Figure 7: pupil-teacher ratios by state), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 95971d98c247…)
- National Bureau of Statistics, South Sudan (with UNICEF): South Sudan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2025, Key Findings Report (April 2026): regional data tables, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 192fb524a46f…)
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