Education in Southern Province, Zambia: official figures
74.0% of women and 71.8% of men aged 15 to 49 in Southern Province could read in 2024; the women's rate is 3rd highest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 69.7% and 80.6%).
How many children in Southern go to primary school?
81.5% of primary-school-age children in Southern Province were attending primary school in 2024 (net attendance ratio), 3rd highest 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 Southern go to secondary school?
32.9% of secondary-school-age young people in Southern Province were attending secondary school in 2024 (35.9% of girls, 29.7% 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 Southern attend pre-school?
49.7% of children aged 5 and 6 in Southern Province were attending pre-school or school in 2022, 3rd highest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 39.6%).
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency · saved copyMore figures
- In the 2022 Living Conditions Monitoring Survey, 85.4% of children aged 7 to 13 in Southern Province were attending school, 71.2% of those aged 14 to 18 and 31.2% of those aged 19 to 22; the rate for ages 14 to 18 is 5th lowest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 79.2%, 71% and 26%). Source: Zambia Statistics Agency · saved copy
How Southern Province compares with other provinces
Women 15-49 who can read (2024)
Southern Province ranks 3 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Women 15-49 who can read |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lusaka Province | 86.8% |
| 2 | Copperbelt Province | 82.7% |
| 3 | Southern Province | 74.0% |
| 4 | Western Province | 71.6% |
| 5 | Central Province | 70.7% |
| 6 | Muchinga Province | 62.0% |
| 7 | North-Western Province | 58.2% |
Secondary school net attendance ratio (2024)
Southern Province ranks 7 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Secondary school net attendance ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 10 | Eastern Province | 20.6% |
More on Southern 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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