6 answers, 2 from Syria's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
94.4% of adults aged 15 and over in Syria could read and write in 2021, according to World Bank data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
The adult literacy rate is the share of people aged 15 and over who can read and write a short simple statement about their everyday life. The UNESCO Institute for Statistics country page has further education indicators for Syria. The Ministry of Education's site could not be reached on 15 October 2026.
Syria's gross enrolment ratio in secondary school was 38.7% in 2024, according to World Bank data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The gross enrolment ratio in tertiary education was 43.8% in 2016, the latest year in the tertiary enrolment series.
The gross ratio divides all students at a level by the population of the official age for that level. The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education sites could not be reached on 15 October 2026.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
In 2024, gross secondary school enrolment in Syria was 38.7%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 95.1%, and Syria placed 13th highest of 13. Worldwide: 97th of 100.
43.8%: that is gross tertiary enrolment in Syria for 2016, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2005 it has ranged from 18.3% (2005) to 47.8% (2015). It is 9th highest of 16 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 43.8%. World rank, highest first: 75th of 129.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2021, is 94.4%. It was 80.8% in 2004. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 83.9%, and Syria placed 2nd highest of 8. World rank, highest first: 17th of 43.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the primary completion rate in Syria was 60.1% in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 56.3% (2021) to 105.8% (2012). It is 11th highest of 11 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 97.0%. Of 104 countries with 2024 data, 101st highest.
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