Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number) in Belgium
Belgium: Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number) was 814,388 in 2023. ▼ Falling
Latest (2023)
814,388
Change on year
down 0.1%
World rank
91st
of 218 countries
All-time high
1.02 million
in 1971
All-time low
711,521
in 1992
Years of data
51
1971–2023
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Belgium, 1971–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Belgium is 814,388, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 0.1% on the previous year and up 6.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Belgium peaked at 1.02 million in 1971 and was at its lowest, 711,521, in 1992.
That places Belgium 91st out of 218 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 51 years of available data.
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number) in Belgium, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 1.02 million | — |
| 1972 | 1.01 million | -0.7% |
| 1973 | 955,920 | -5.8% |
| 1974 | 968,689 | +1.3% |
| 1975 | 955,255 | -1.4% |
| 1976 | 941,941 | -1.4% |
| 1977 | 923,677 | -1.9% |
| 1978 | 902,627 | -2.3% |
| 1979 | 878,385 | -2.7% |
| 1980 | 861,746 | -1.9% |
| 1981 | 842,117 | -2.3% |
| 1982 | 821,059 | -2.5% |
| 1983 | 780,408 | -5.0% |
| 1984 | 758,663 | -2.8% |
| 1985 | 739,522 | -2.5% |
| 1986 | 730,288 | -1.2% |
| 1987 | 727,647 | -0.4% |
| 1988 | 728,718 | +0.1% |
| 1989 | 727,060 | -0.2% |
| 1990 | 722,811 | -0.6% |
| 1991 | 719,372 | -0.5% |
| 1992 | 711,521 | -1.1% |
| 1993 | 739,093 | +3.9% |
| 1994 | 736,782 | -0.3% |
| 1995 | 738,768 | +0.3% |
| 1996 | 742,796 | +0.5% |
| 1999 | 762,734 | +2.7% |
| 2000 | 773,742 | +1.4% |
| 2001 | 771,889 | -0.2% |
| 2002 | 767,787 | -0.5% |
| 2003 | 761,730 | -0.8% |
| 2004 | 747,111 | -1.9% |
| 2005 | 738,580 | -1.1% |
| 2006 | 732,808 | -0.8% |
| 2007 | 732,411 | -0.1% |
| 2008 | 733,052 | +0.1% |
| 2009 | 731,603 | -0.2% |
| 2010 | 731,761 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 736,062 | +0.6% |
| 2012 | 744,331 | +1.1% |
| 2013 | 764,137 | +2.7% |
| 2014 | 773,568 | +1.2% |
| 2015 | 782,606 | +1.2% |
| 2016 | 797,390 | +1.9% |
| 2017 | 814,974 | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 821,236 | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 823,109 | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 823,725 | +0.1% |
| 2021 | 818,422 | -0.6% |
| 2022 | 815,494 | -0.4% |
| 2023 | 814,388 | -0.1% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 814,388 is above the median for high income countries, which is 236,668, 3.4× the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 814,388 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 432,238, 1.9× the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 951,423 | 878,385 | 1.02 million | 9 |
| 1980s | 771,723 | 727,060 | 861,746 | 10 |
| 1990s | 734,235 | 711,521 | 762,734 | 8 |
| 2000s | 749,071 | 731,603 | 773,742 | 10 |
| 2010s | 778,917 | 731,761 | 823,109 | 10 |
| 2020s | 818,007 | 814,388 | 823,725 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Belgium
More education data for Belgium
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 137,795 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 17,384 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 221,494 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 210,503 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.18 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 814,388 (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.1356 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0691 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Belgium?
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Belgium was 814,388 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 1.02 million in 1971.
- What is the lowest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 711,521 in 1992.
- How does Belgium rank for enrolment in primary education, both sexes?
- Belgium ranks 91st out of 218 countries with data for 2023.
- Is enrolment in primary education, both sexes rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Belgium 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