Enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes in Ireland

Ireland: Enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes was 229,972 in 2022. ▲ Rising

Latest (2022)
229,972
Change on year
up 4.8%
World rank
113th
of 200 countries
All-time high
236,579
in 2018
All-time low
173,293
in 2008
Years of data
32
1991–2022

Enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes in Ireland, 1991–2022

050.0k100.0k150.0k200.0k250.0k1991200620221991: 201.1k1992: 203.0k1993: 207.9k1994: 210.3k1995: 208.9k1996: 205.4k1997: 199.6k1998: 194.8k1999: 189.1k2000: 186.0k2001: 183.2k2002: 178.9k2003: 175.4k2004: 176.5k2005: 175.3k2006: 176.6k2007: 173.9k2008: 173.3k2009: 176.9k2010: 182.8k2011: 186.1k2012: 189.9k2013: 189.5k2014: 187.8k2015: 189.7k2016: 193.1k2017: 205.0k2018: 236.6k2019: 213.1k2020: 215.2k2021: 219.4k2022: 230.0k

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

The most recent figure for enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes in Ireland is 229,972, measured in 2022.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.8% on the previous year and up 21.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes in Ireland peaked at 236,579 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 173,293, in 2008.

That places Ireland 113th out of 200 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 32 years of available data.

Enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes in Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes (number) in Ireland, 1991 to 2022.
Year Value Change
1991 201,105
1992 203,006 +0.9%
1993 207,904 +2.4%
1994 210,262 +1.1%
1995 208,917 -0.6%
1996 205,417 -1.7%
1997 199,571 -2.8%
1998 194,806 -2.4%
1999 189,107 -2.9%
2000 186,039 -1.6%
2001 183,154 -1.6%
2002 178,892 -2.3%
2003 175,370 -2.0%
2004 176,482 +0.6%
2005 175,327 -0.7%
2006 176,649 +0.8%
2007 173,901 -1.6%
2008 173,293 -0.3%
2009 176,853 +2.1%
2010 182,773 +3.3%
2011 186,082 +1.8%
2012 189,924 +2.1%
2013 189,543 -0.2%
2014 187,826 -0.9%
2015 189,681 +1.0%
2016 193,115 +1.8%
2017 204,975 +6.1%
2018 236,579 +15.4%
2019 213,135 -9.9%
2020 215,239 +1.0%
2021 219,428 +1.9%
2022 229,972 +4.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 202,233 189,107 210,262 9
2000s 177,596 173,293 186,039 10
2010s 197,363 182,773 236,579 10
2020s 221,546 215,239 229,972 3

Countries ranked near Ireland

  1. 110 Congo 243,984 compare
  2. 111 El Salvador 242,733 compare
  3. 112 Mauritania 235,710 compare
  4. 114 Lebanon 223,929 compare
  5. 115 Norway 210,015 compare
  6. 116 Armenia 198,630 compare

See the full ranking of 421 places →

More education data for Ireland

All data for Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes in Ireland?
Enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes in Ireland was 229,972 in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes recorded in Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 236,579 in 2018.
What is the lowest enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes recorded in Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 173,293 in 2008.
How does Ireland rank for enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes?
Ireland ranks 113th out of 200 countries with data for 2022.
Is enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes rising or falling in Ireland?
Over the last ten years it is up 21.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Ireland data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes in Ireland. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 02 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-lower-secondary-education-both-sexes-number-2/ireland/

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About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in lower secondary education, both sexes (number)
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
421 places, 11,113 data points, 1980–2025
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release