Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in UNICEF: World

UNICEF: World: Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled was 780.30 million in 2024. ▲ Rising

Latest (2024)
780.30 million
Change on year
up 1.4%
Rank
5th
of 221 groups
All-time high
780.30 million
in 2024
All-time low
413.60 million
in 1971
Years of data
55
1970–2024

Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in UNICEF: World, 1970–2024

0200.0M400.0M600.0M800.0M197019972024

Source: Statizoid (derived).

Analysis

In 2024, enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in UNICEF: World stood at 780.30 million. That is the highest value across all 55 years on record.

The figure is up 1.4% on the previous year and up 9.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in UNICEF: World peaked at 780.30 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 413.60 million, in 1971.

UNICEF: World ranks 5th of 221 groups on this measure, in the top 10%.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 55 years of available data.

Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in UNICEF: World, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in UNICEF: World, 1970 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1970 462.35 million
1971 413.60 million -10.5%
1972 427.09 million +3.3%
1973 449.72 million +5.3%
1974 464.36 million +3.3%
1975 479.87 million +3.3%
1976 491.87 million +2.5%
1977 501.22 million +1.9%
1978 503.77 million +0.5%
1979 510.92 million +1.4%
1980 527.65 million +3.3%
1981 534.66 million +1.3%
1982 543.32 million +1.6%
1983 546.79 million +0.6%
1984 551.00 million +0.8%
1985 554.33 million +0.6%
1986 555.09 million +0.1%
1987 559.85 million +0.9%
1988 571.18 million +2.0%
1989 575.23 million +0.7%
1990 577.51 million +0.4%
1991 583.00 million +1.0%
1992 591.32 million +1.4%
1993 599.79 million +1.4%
1994 610.84 million +1.8%
1995 615.71 million +0.8%
1996 624.02 million +1.4%
1997 641.42 million +2.8%
1998 644.00 million +0.4%
1999 653.45 million +1.5%
2000 654.59 million +0.2%
2001 653.60 million -0.2%
2002 650.92 million -0.4%
2003 654.25 million +0.5%
2004 676.00 million +3.3%
2005 678.08 million +0.3%
2006 678.68 million +0.1%
2007 688.86 million +1.5%
2008 692.98 million +0.6%
2009 694.23 million +0.2%
2010 696.84 million +0.4%
2011 701.78 million +0.7%
2012 709.81 million +1.1%
2013 715.61 million +0.8%
2014 714.38 million -0.2%
2015 718.91 million +0.6%
2016 736.41 million +2.4%
2017 742.82 million +0.9%
2018 732.15 million -1.4%
2019 740.96 million +1.2%
2020 749.92 million +1.2%
2021 753.86 million +0.5%
2022 764.19 million +1.4%
2023 769.29 million +0.7%
2024 780.30 million +1.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 470.48 million 413.60 million 510.92 million 10
1980s 551.91 million 527.65 million 575.23 million 10
1990s 614.11 million 577.51 million 653.45 million 10
2000s 672.22 million 650.92 million 694.23 million 10
2010s 720.97 million 696.84 million 742.82 million 10
2020s 763.51 million 749.92 million 780.30 million 5

Countries ranked near UNICEF: World

  1. 2 China 108.57 million compare
  2. 3 Nigeria 33.42 million compare
  3. 4 Indonesia 28.68 million compare
  4. 5 Pakistan 25.38 million compare
  5. 6 United States of America 23.83 million compare
  6. 7 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 21.15 million compare
  7. 8 Bangladesh 16.69 million compare

See the full ranking of 439 places →

More education data for UNICEF: World

All data for UNICEF: World →

Frequently asked questions

What is enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in UNICEF: World?
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in UNICEF: World was 780.30 million in 2024, according to Statizoid (derived).
What is the highest enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled recorded in UNICEF: World?
The highest recorded value was 780.30 million in 2024.
What is the lowest enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled recorded in UNICEF: World?
The lowest recorded value was 413.60 million in 1971.
How does UNICEF: World rank for enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled?
UNICEF: World ranks 5th out of 221 groups with data for 2024.
Is enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled rising or falling in UNICEF: World?
Over the last ten years it is up 9.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this UNICEF: World data come from?
The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in UNICEF: World. Statizoid, drawing on Statizoid (derived). Retrieved 06 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-primary-education-both-sexes-number-gaps-filled/unicef-world/

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How this figure is calculated

Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number) with 607 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.

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Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.

About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled
Source
Statizoid (derived)
Licence
Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page
Coverage
439 places, 21,662 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number) with 607 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.