China vs South Korea: Primary education, duration
China
6 years
in 2025
South Korea
6 years
in 2025
China rank
25th
South Korea rank
25th
Primary education, duration over time
- China
- South Korea
How they compare
China currently reports 6 years against 6 years in South Korea, a difference of 0 years.
Across all 56 years both countries report, South Korea has been ahead every year.
China ranks 25th and South Korea ranks 25th of 210 countries.
South Korea has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | South Korea | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 years | 6 years | 1 years | South Korea |
| 1980s | 5 years | 6 years | 1 years | South Korea |
| 1990s | 5 years | 6 years | 1 years | South Korea |
| 2000s | 5.6 years | 6 years | 0.4 years | South Korea |
| 2010s | 6 years | 6 years | 0 years | — |
| 2020s | 6 years | 6 years | 0 years | — |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher primary education, duration, China or South Korea?
- China, at 6 years against 6 years in South Korea as of 2025.
- What is the difference in primary education, duration between China and South Korea?
- 0 years, with China ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and South Korea?
- 56 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2025.
- How do China and South Korea rank globally for primary education, duration?
- China ranks 25th and South Korea ranks 25th of 210 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Primary education, duration (years). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Primary duration refers to the number of grades (years) in primary school.