Zambia

Zambia faces substantial readiness constraints across core dimensions. Its weakest results are in Human Capital (51, 23rd percentile), Infrastructure (43, 14th percentile), GEFRI Composite (38, 23rd percentile), Innovation (32, 21st percentile) and School Access and Gender Parity (25, 27th percentile). These gaps continue to weigh on overall readiness.

Uneven scores across dimensions show where readiness conditions are less aligned. Limited electricity or internet coverage still constrains classrooms, preventing large-scale digital instruction. Literacy or tertiary enrollment gaps thin the talent pipeline and limit the country’s capacity to develop future-ready skills.

Sparse R&D investment and a small research workforce slow experimentation and delay new ideas from reaching learners. Policy execution and regulatory capacity remain weak, leaving reforms fragmented and hard to sustain. Gender parity across secondary pathways reflects sustained commitment to equitable participation.

Governance presents a near-term leapfrog opportunity: performance is just below the global average, backed by enough observed data to support forward planning.