Least developed countries vs South Asia (IDA & IBRD): Primary education, pupils

Least developed countries
171.01 million
in 2024
South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
160.82 million
in 2024
Least developed countries rank
19th
South Asia (IDA & IBRD) rank
20th

Primary education, pupils over time

  • Least developed countries
  • South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
50.0M100.0M150.0M197019972024

How they compare

Least developed countries currently reports 171.01 million against 160.82 million in South Asia (IDA & IBRD), a difference of 10.19 million.

That makes Least developed countries's figure about 1.1 times South Asia (IDA & IBRD)'s.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 55 shared years of data; in 1970 it was South Asia (IDA & IBRD) ahead.

Least developed countries ranks 19th and South Asia (IDA & IBRD) ranks 20th of 43 groups.

Across the 6 decades both report, Least developed countries averaged higher in 1 and South Asia (IDA & IBRD) in 5.

Head to head by decade

Decade Least developed countries South Asia (IDA & IBRD) Difference Ahead
1970s 32.54 million 78.72 million 46.18 million South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
1980s 47.49 million 96.01 million 48.52 million South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
1990s 64.81 million 125.16 million 60.35 million South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
2000s 103.95 million 149.75 million 45.80 million South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
2010s 146.33 million 160.58 million 14.25 million South Asia (IDA & IBRD)
2020s 168.40 million 151.70 million 16.70 million Least developed countries

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher primary education, pupils, Least developed countries or South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
Least developed countries, at 171.01 million against 160.82 million in South Asia (IDA & IBRD) as of 2024.
What is the difference in primary education, pupils between Least developed countries and South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
10.19 million, with Least developed countries ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Least developed countries and South Asia (IDA & IBRD)?
55 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2024.
How do Least developed countries and South Asia (IDA & IBRD) rank globally for primary education, pupils?
Least developed countries ranks 19th and South Asia (IDA & IBRD) ranks 20th of 43 groups.
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.

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Least developed countries vs South Asia (IDA & IBRD): Primary education, pupils. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 27 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/primary-education-pupils/least-developed-countries-un-classification/south-asia-ida-and-ibrd/

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About this data

Indicator
Primary education, pupils
Source
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
251 places, 11,297 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

Primary education pupils is the total number of pupils enrolled at primary level in public and private schools.