China vs India: Enrolment in primary education, both sexes
China
108.57 million
in 2024
India
126.12 million
in 2025
China rank
2nd
India rank
1st
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes over time
- China
- India
How they compare
India currently reports 126.12 million against 108.57 million in China, a difference of 17.55 million.
That makes India's figure about 1.2 times China's.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 47 shared years of data; in 1971 it was China ahead.
China ranks 2nd and India ranks 1st of 218 countries.
Across the 6 decades both report, China averaged higher in 3 and India in 3.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | India | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 135.20 million | 64.10 million | 71.10 million | China |
| 1980s | 136.65 million | 82.80 million | 53.86 million | China |
| 1990s | 127.81 million | 105.57 million | 22.24 million | China |
| 2000s | 111.77 million | 132.31 million | 20.54 million | India |
| 2010s | 98.76 million | 129.42 million | 30.66 million | India |
| 2020s | 107.48 million | 128.95 million | 21.46 million | India |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher enrolment in primary education, both sexes, China or India?
- India, at 126.12 million against 108.57 million in China as of 2025.
- What is the difference in enrolment in primary education, both sexes between China and India?
- 17.55 million, with India ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and India?
- 47 years are reported by both, from 1971 to 2024.
- How do China and India rank globally for enrolment in primary education, both sexes?
- China ranks 2nd and India ranks 1st of 218 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
February 2026 Data Release