8 answers, 1 from Tuvalu's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
91% of children aged 3 to 19 in Tuvalu were attending school at the 2022 census, up from 88% in 2017, according to the Central Statistics Division's census report. Attendance was 99% at ages 3 to 4, 94% at 5 to 9, 96% at 10 to 14 and 78% at 15 to 19.
The rise came mainly from older teenagers: attendance at ages 15 to 19 was 63% in 2017. Attendance at ages 5 to 9 and 10 to 14 fell slightly. The census also reports that 97.9% of residents aged 15 and over were literate in Tuvaluan and 91.2% in English. Literacy is reported by households, not tested.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts net primary school enrolment in Tuvalu at 76.2% in 2016. East Asia & Pacific median: 94.2%; Tuvalu is 17th highest of 20. Of 133 countries with 2016 data, 118th highest.
90.7%: that is gross secondary school enrolment in Tuvalu for 2024, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2014 was 2023, at 93.3%; its low point was 2020, at 77.1%. It is 10th highest of 16 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 92.0%. Worldwide: 62nd of 100.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts gross tertiary enrolment in Tuvalu at 19.4% in 2023. East Asia & Pacific median: 44.2%; Tuvalu is 18th highest of 21. Of 120 countries with 2023 data, 99th highest.
In 2022, the adult literacy rate in Tuvalu was 100.0%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. East Asia & Pacific median: 95.8%; Tuvalu is 1st highest of 7. World rank, highest first: 1st of 44.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts government spending on education in Tuvalu at 12.8% of GDP in 2023. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 3.8% of GDP, and Tuvalu placed 2nd highest of 20. Of 112 countries with 2023 data, 2nd highest.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the number of primary pupils per teacher in Tuvalu at 16 in 2018. It was 19 in 2004. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 20, and Tuvalu placed 12th highest of 13. World rank, highest first: 63rd of 85.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the primary completion rate in Tuvalu was 95.1% in 2024. The peak was 118.4% in 2022 and the low 90.1% in 2019. East Asia & Pacific median: 98.9%; Tuvalu is 12th highest of 20. Worldwide: 53rd of 104.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error