China vs India: Primary education, pupils
China
108.57 million
in 2024
India
126.12 million
in 2025
China rank
2nd
India rank
1st
Primary education, pupils 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 206 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 primary education, pupils, China or India?
- India, at 126.12 million against 108.57 million in China as of 2025.
- What is the difference in primary education, pupils 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 primary education, pupils?
- China ranks 2nd and India ranks 1st of 206 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Primary education, pupils. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Primary education pupils is the total number of pupils enrolled at primary level in public and private schools.