Children out of school in United States of America
United States of America: Children out of school was 4.0% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Children out of school in United States of America, 2005–2022
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of primary school age.
Analysis
In 2022, children out of school in United States of America stood at 4.0%.
That represents a change of down 2.8% on the previous year and up 37.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, children out of school in United States of America peaked at 4.1% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 2016.
United States of America ranks 96th of 196 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Children out of school in United States of America, year by year
| Year | % of primary school age | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 0.6% | — |
| 2013 | 2.9% | +412.8% |
| 2015 | 1.8% | -37.7% |
| 2016 | 0.4% | -80.1% |
| 2017 | 0.4% | +17.9% |
| 2018 | 0.6% | +35.3% |
| 2019 | 0.9% | +59.6% |
| 2020 | 2.0% | +118.8% |
| 2021 | 4.1% | +104.2% |
| 2022 | 4.0% | -2.8% |
United States of America compared with similar countries
- United States of America's 4.0% is above the median for high income countries, which is 1.8%, 2.2× the median. (74 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 1 |
| 2010s | 1.2% | 0.4% | 2.9% | 6 |
| 2020s | 3.4% | 2.0% | 4.1% | 3 |
Countries ranked near United States of America
- 93 Uganda 4.1% compare
- 94 French Polynesia 4.1%
- 95 Papua New Guinea 4.0% compare
- 97 Dominica 4.0% compare
- 98 Eswatini 3.8% compare
- 99 North Macedonia 3.8% compare
More education data for United States of America
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 1.74 million (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 419,732 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 4.34 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 4.14 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 25.35 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 23.83 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.33 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0708 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is children out of school in United States of America?
- Children out of school in United States of America was 4.0% in 2022, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest children out of school recorded in United States of America?
- The highest recorded value was 4.1% in 2021.
- What is the lowest children out of school recorded in United States of America?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 2016.
- How does United States of America rank for children out of school?
- United States of America ranks 96th out of 196 countries with data for 2022.
- Is children out of school rising or falling in United States of America?
- Over the last ten years it is up 37.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States of America data come from?
- The figures come from Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Children out of school (% of primary school age). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Children out of school are the percentage of primary-school-age children who are not enrolled in primary or secondary school. Children in the official primary age group that are in preprimary education should be considered out of school.