Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Enrolment in primary education, both sexes was 7.51 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
7.51 million
World rank
22nd
of 218 countries
All-time high
7.51 million
in 2023
All-time low
365,458
in 1982
Years of data
45
1970–2023
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Afghanistan, 1970–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Afghanistan is 7.51 million, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 45 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 25.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Afghanistan peaked at 7.51 million in 2023 and was at its lowest, 365,458, in 1982.
Afghanistan ranks 22nd of 218 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 540,685 | — |
| 1971 | 572,933 | +6.0% |
| 1972 | 597,509 | +4.3% |
| 1973 | 624,374 | +4.5% |
| 1974 | 654,209 | +4.8% |
| 1975 | 692,342 | +5.8% |
| 1976 | 729,667 | +5.4% |
| 1977 | 764,175 | +4.7% |
| 1978 | 810,657 | +6.1% |
| 1980 | 959,583 | +18.4% |
| 1981 | 1.02 million | +6.8% |
| 1982 | 365,458 | -64.3% |
| 1984 | 447,351 | +22.4% |
| 1985 | 479,150 | +7.1% |
| 1986 | 512,809 | +7.0% |
| 1988 | 651,622 | +27.1% |
| 1989 | 622,135 | -4.5% |
| 1990 | 622,513 | +0.1% |
| 1991 | 627,888 | +0.9% |
| 1993 | 786,532 | +25.3% |
| 1994 | 1.16 million | +47.7% |
| 1995 | 1.31 million | +13.0% |
| 1998 | 1.05 million | -20.3% |
| 1999 | 875,605 | -16.3% |
| 2000 | 749,360 | -14.4% |
| 2001 | 773,623 | +3.2% |
| 2002 | 2.67 million | +244.8% |
| 2003 | 3.78 million | +41.7% |
| 2004 | 4.43 million | +17.2% |
| 2005 | 4.32 million | -2.5% |
| 2006 | 4.67 million | +8.1% |
| 2007 | 4.72 million | +1.0% |
| 2008 | 4.97 million | +5.4% |
| 2009 | 4.95 million | -0.6% |
| 2010 | 5.28 million | +6.7% |
| 2011 | 5.29 million | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 5.77 million | +9.0% |
| 2013 | 5.99 million | +3.8% |
| 2014 | 6.22 million | +3.9% |
| 2015 | 6.20 million | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 6.27 million | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 6.35 million | +1.4% |
| 2018 | 6.54 million | +3.1% |
| 2019 | 6.78 million | +3.6% |
| 2023 | 7.51 million | +10.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 665,172 | 540,685 | 810,657 | 9 |
| 1980s | 632,856 | 365,458 | 1.02 million | 8 |
| 1990s | 918,931 | 622,513 | 1.31 million | 7 |
| 2000s | 3.60 million | 749,360 | 4.97 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.07 million | 5.28 million | 6.78 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.51 million | 7.51 million | 7.51 million | 1 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
- 19 Mozambique 7.66 million compare
- 20 Russian Federation 7.55 million compare
- 21 South Africa 7.52 million compare
- 23 Japan 6.25 million compare
- 24 Türkiye 5.54 million compare
- 25 Angola 5.38 million compare
More education data for Afghanistan
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 7.51 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 3.56 % change on previous year (2019)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0004 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1811 units per person (2023)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.51 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 3.56 % change on previous year (2019)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), per unit of GDP 0.0004 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), per capita 0.1811 units per person (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 3.20 million (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Afghanistan?
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Afghanistan was 7.51 million in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 7.51 million in 2023.
- What is the lowest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 365,458 in 1982.
- How does Afghanistan rank for enrolment in primary education, both sexes?
- Afghanistan ranks 22nd out of 218 countries with data for 2023.
- Is enrolment in primary education, both sexes rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release