As of 2021, based on data dating back to 2016, Burundi was the country in the world where the lowest share of the population had a higher education of a bachelor's degree or higher. In the East African country, less than one percent of the population had completed a bachelor's degree. In fact, a high number of the countries on the list were located in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mali and Mozambique followed on the places behind Burundi. On the other hand, the United Arab Emirates was the country where the highest share of the population had completed a bachelor's degree or more.
20 countries worldwide with the lowest share of population with at least a bachelor's degree as of 2021
Characteristic
Share of adult population
Burundi (2017)
0.9%
Mali (2020)
1.6%
Mozambique (2017)
1.8%
Burkina Faso (2018)
2.1%
Madagascar (2018)
2.8%
Senegal (2017)
2.8%
Afghanistan (2021)
3.1%
Zimbabwe (2017)
3.3%
Congo Dem. Rep. (2016)
3.5%
Rwanda (2018)
4.1%
Guatemala (2019)
4.3%
Fiji (2017)
5.2%
Egypt (2017)
6.2%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of adult population0.9%0.9%1.6%1.6%1.8%1.8%2.1%2.1%2.8%2.8%2.8%2.8%3.1%3.1%3.3%3.3%3.5%3.5%4.1%4.1%4.3%4.3%5.2%5.2%6.2%6.2%6.2%6.2%7.6%7.6%7.9%7.9%8%8%9.6%9.6%10.2%10.2%10.2%10.2%Burundi (2017)Mali (2020)Mozambique (2017)Burkina Faso (2018)Madagascar (2018)Senegal (2017)Afghanistan (2021)Zimbabwe (2017)Congo Dem. Rep. (2016)Rwanda (2018)Guatemala (2019)Fiji (2017)Egypt (2017)Guinea (2018)Puerto Rico (2017)Belize (2020)South Africa (2020)Honduras (2019)Bhutan (2017)Vietnam (2019)
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World Bank. (September 19, 2023). 20 countries worldwide with the lowest share of population with at least a bachelor's degree as of 2021 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1346262/countries-world-lowest-share-bachelors-degree/
World Bank. "20 countries worldwide with the lowest share of population with at least a bachelor's degree as of 2021." Chart. September 19, 2023. Statista. Accessed February 18, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1346262/countries-world-lowest-share-bachelors-degree/
World Bank. (2023). 20 countries worldwide with the lowest share of population with at least a bachelor's degree as of 2021. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 18, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1346262/countries-world-lowest-share-bachelors-degree/
World Bank. "20 Countries Worldwide with The Lowest Share of Population with at Least a Bachelor's Degree as of 2021." Statista, Statista Inc., 19 Sep 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1346262/countries-world-lowest-share-bachelors-degree/
World Bank, 20 countries worldwide with the lowest share of population with at least a bachelor's degree as of 2021 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1346262/countries-world-lowest-share-bachelors-degree/ (last visited February 18, 2025)
20 countries worldwide with the lowest share of population with at least a bachelor's degree as of 2021 [Graph], World Bank, September 19, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1346262/countries-world-lowest-share-bachelors-degree/
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