China vs India: Population of compulsory school age, both sexes
China
159.15 million
in 2025
India
185.47 million
in 2025
China rank
2nd
India rank
1st
Population of compulsory school age, both sexes over time
- China
- India
How they compare
India currently reports 185.47 million against 159.15 million in China, a difference of 26.33 million.
That makes India's figure about 1.2 times China's.
Across all 17 years both countries report, India has been ahead every year.
China ranks 2nd and India ranks 1st of 197 countries.
India has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | India | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 151.91 million | 194.74 million | 42.83 million | India |
| 2010s | 148.26 million | 196.48 million | 48.22 million | India |
| 2020s | 159.44 million | 188.95 million | 29.51 million | India |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher population of compulsory school age, both sexes, China or India?
- India, at 185.47 million against 159.15 million in China as of 2025.
- What is the difference in population of compulsory school age, both sexes between China and India?
- 26.33 million, with India ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and India?
- 17 years are reported by both, from 2009 to 2025.
- How do China and India rank globally for population of compulsory school age, both sexes?
- China ranks 2nd and India ranks 1st of 197 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Population of compulsory school age, 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