Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Nepal
Nepal: Enrolment in primary education, both sexes was 3.57 million in 2025. ▲ Rising
Latest (2025)
3.57 million
Change on year
up 1.3%
World rank
44th
of 218 countries
All-time high
4.95 million
in 2011
All-time low
389,825
in 1970
Years of data
53
1970–2025
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Nepal, 1970–2025
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
Nepal recorded 3.57 million for enrolment in primary education, both sexes in 2025.
The figure is up 1.3% on the previous year and down 17.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Nepal peaked at 4.95 million in 2011 and was at its lowest, 389,825, in 1970.
Nepal ranks 44th of 218 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 53 years of available data.
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Nepal, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 389,825 | — |
| 1972 | 393,269 | +0.9% |
| 1973 | 418,155 | +6.3% |
| 1974 | 470,365 | +12.5% |
| 1975 | 542,524 | +15.3% |
| 1976 | 643,835 | +18.7% |
| 1977 | 769,049 | +19.4% |
| 1978 | 875,494 | +13.8% |
| 1979 | 1.01 million | +15.7% |
| 1980 | 1.07 million | +5.5% |
| 1981 | 1.39 million | +30.0% |
| 1982 | 1.47 million | +6.2% |
| 1983 | 1.63 million | +10.3% |
| 1984 | 1.75 million | +7.5% |
| 1985 | 1.81 million | +3.7% |
| 1986 | 1.86 million | +2.5% |
| 1987 | 1.95 million | +5.1% |
| 1988 | 2.11 million | +8.0% |
| 1989 | 2.53 million | +19.8% |
| 1990 | 2.79 million | +10.4% |
| 1991 | 2.88 million | +3.4% |
| 1992 | 3.03 million | +5.2% |
| 1993 | 3.09 million | +1.9% |
| 1994 | 3.19 million | +3.2% |
| 1995 | 3.26 million | +2.2% |
| 1996 | 3.45 million | +5.7% |
| 1997 | 3.46 million | +0.4% |
| 1999 | 3.59 million | +3.7% |
| 2000 | 3.78 million | +5.4% |
| 2001 | 3.62 million | -4.2% |
| 2002 | 3.85 million | +6.4% |
| 2003 | 3.93 million | +1.9% |
| 2004 | 4.03 million | +2.5% |
| 2005 | 4.03 million | +0.1% |
| 2006 | 4.50 million | +11.7% |
| 2007 | 4.52 million | +0.3% |
| 2008 | 4.42 million | -2.1% |
| 2009 | 4.78 million | +8.2% |
| 2010 | 4.90 million | +2.5% |
| 2011 | 4.95 million | +1.0% |
| 2012 | 4.78 million | -3.4% |
| 2013 | 4.58 million | -4.3% |
| 2014 | 4.40 million | -3.8% |
| 2015 | 4.34 million | -1.5% |
| 2016 | 4.14 million | -4.6% |
| 2017 | 3.97 million | -4.0% |
| 2019 | 3.97 million | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 3.52 million | -11.3% |
| 2021 | 3.46 million | -1.9% |
| 2022 | 3.49 million | +0.9% |
| 2023 | 3.61 million | +3.6% |
| 2024 | 3.52 million | -2.5% |
| 2025 | 3.57 million | +1.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 612,783 | 389,825 | 1.01 million | 9 |
| 1980s | 1.76 million | 1.07 million | 2.53 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.19 million | 2.79 million | 3.59 million | 9 |
| 2000s | 4.15 million | 3.62 million | 4.78 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.45 million | 3.97 million | 4.95 million | 9 |
| 2020s | 3.53 million | 3.46 million | 3.61 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nepal
- 41 France 4.13 million compare
- 42 Yemen 3.90 million compare
- 43 Peru 3.71 million compare
- 45 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 3.54 million compare
- 46 Saudi Arabia 3.45 million compare
- 47 Uzbekistan 3.41 million compare
More education data for Nepal
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 157,456 (2025)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Duration of pre primary education 2 (2025)
- Official entrance age to pre primary education 3 (2025)
- Population ages 15-64 65.3% (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 28.1% (2025)
- Lower secondary school starting age 10 years (2025)
- Primary school starting age 5 years (2025)
- Primary secondary enrollment completion rates, gaps filled 128.56 (2025)
- School enrollment, primary 128.6% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Nepal?
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Nepal was 3.57 million in 2025, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in Nepal?
- The highest recorded value was 4.95 million in 2011.
- What is the lowest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in Nepal?
- The lowest recorded value was 389,825 in 1970.
- How does Nepal rank for enrolment in primary education, both sexes?
- Nepal ranks 44th out of 218 countries with data for 2025.
- Is enrolment in primary education, both sexes rising or falling in Nepal?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Nepal 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.
Download this data
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release