Education in Northern Province, Zambia: official figures
48.3% of women and 75.8% of men aged 15 to 49 in Northern Province could read in 2024; the women's rate is the lowest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 69.7% and 80.6%).
How many children in Northern go to primary school?
73.3% of primary-school-age children in Northern Province were attending primary school in 2024 (net attendance ratio), 3rd lowest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 77.8%).
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency and Ministry of Health (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many young people in Northern go to secondary school?
32.9% of secondary-school-age young people in Northern Province were attending secondary school in 2024 (33.9% of girls, 31.9% of boys), joint 4th lowest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 39.5%).
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency and Ministry of Health (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many young children in Northern attend pre-school?
16.4% of children aged 5 and 6 in Northern Province were attending pre-school or school in 2022, 2nd lowest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 39.6%).
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency · saved copyMore figures
- In the 2022 Living Conditions Monitoring Survey, 73.7% of children aged 7 to 13 in Northern Province were attending school, 71.4% of those aged 14 to 18 and 23.2% of those aged 19 to 22; the rate for ages 14 to 18 is 5th highest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 79.2%, 71% and 26%). Source: Zambia Statistics Agency · saved copy
How Northern Province compares with other provinces
Women 15-49 who can read (2024)
Northern Province ranks 10 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Women 15-49 who can read |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Western Province | 71.6% |
| 5 | Central Province | 70.7% |
| 6 | Muchinga Province | 62.0% |
| 7 | North-Western Province | 58.2% |
| 8 | Eastern Province | 54.1% |
| 9 | Luapula Province | 52.6% |
| 10 | Northern Province | 48.3% |
Secondary school net attendance ratio (2024)
Northern Province ranks 6 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Secondary school net attendance ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Western Province | 40.6% |
| 4 | North-Western Province | 36.7% |
| 5 | Central Province | 35.7% |
| 6 | Northern Province | 32.9% |
| 7 | Southern Province | 32.9% |
| 8 | Muchinga Province | 32.2% |
| 9 | Luapula Province | 29.5% |
More on Northern Province: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · Zambia
Sources
- Zambia Statistics Agency and Ministry of Health (with ICF, The DHS Program): Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2024, Final Report (province rows of Tables 2.6, 2.12, 3.3, 3.9.1, 5.2, 8.1, 8.3, 9.8, 10.4, 11.1, 14.4.1, 16.11, 17.2, 17.7), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 12e99ddc4a98…)
- Zambia Statistics Agency: 2022 Living Conditions Monitoring Survey Report (Tables 6.2, 10.2, 14.8; Figures 12.3, 12.6, 12.27), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e5a8bbf667e0…)
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