Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Tonga
Tonga: Enrolment in primary education, both sexes was 15,644 in 2024. ▼ Falling
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Tonga, 1970–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Tonga is 15,644, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 51 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.9% on the previous year and down 8.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Tonga peaked at 19,744 in 1979 and was at its lowest, 15,644, in 2024.
Tonga ranks 185th of 218 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 51 years of available data.
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Tonga, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 17,865 | — |
| 1971 | 16,416 | -8.1% |
| 1972 | 16,566 | +0.9% |
| 1973 | 16,688 | +0.7% |
| 1974 | 16,932 | +1.5% |
| 1975 | 19,260 | +13.7% |
| 1976 | 19,474 | +1.1% |
| 1977 | 19,416 | -0.3% |
| 1978 | 19,730 | +1.6% |
| 1979 | 19,744 | +0.1% |
| 1980 | 19,012 | -3.7% |
| 1981 | 17,364 | -8.7% |
| 1982 | 16,701 | -3.8% |
| 1983 | 16,329 | -2.2% |
| 1984 | 16,921 | +3.6% |
| 1985 | 17,019 | +0.6% |
| 1986 | 16,912 | -0.6% |
| 1987 | 16,715 | -1.2% |
| 1990 | 16,522 | -1.2% |
| 1991 | 16,728 | +1.2% |
| 1992 | 16,658 | -0.4% |
| 1993 | 16,792 | +0.8% |
| 1994 | 16,540 | -1.5% |
| 1995 | 16,652 | +0.7% |
| 1996 | 16,857 | +1.2% |
| 1997 | 16,648 | -1.2% |
| 1998 | 16,460 | -1.1% |
| 1999 | 16,783 | +2.0% |
| 2000 | 16,697 | -0.5% |
| 2001 | 17,033 | +2.0% |
| 2002 | 17,105 | +0.4% |
| 2003 | 17,891 | +4.6% |
| 2004 | 17,113 | -4.3% |
| 2005 | 17,032 | -0.5% |
| 2006 | 16,941 | -0.5% |
| 2007 | 16,892 | -0.3% |
| 2008 | 16,667 | -1.3% |
| 2009 | 16,719 | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 16,848 | +0.8% |
| 2011 | 17,033 | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 17,222 | +1.1% |
| 2013 | 17,251 | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 17,093 | -0.9% |
| 2015 | 16,982 | -0.6% |
| 2018 | 17,246 | +1.6% |
| 2019 | 17,024 | -1.3% |
| 2020 | 17,056 | +0.2% |
| 2021 | 16,440 | -3.6% |
| 2022 | 16,545 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 16,114 | -2.6% |
| 2024 | 15,644 | -2.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 18,209 | 16,416 | 19,744 | 10 |
| 1980s | 17,122 | 16,329 | 19,012 | 8 |
| 1990s | 16,664 | 16,460 | 16,857 | 10 |
| 2000s | 17,009 | 16,667 | 17,891 | 10 |
| 2010s | 17,087 | 16,848 | 17,251 | 8 |
| 2020s | 16,360 | 15,644 | 17,056 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Tonga
- 182 Kiribati 17,457 compare
- 183 French Guiana 17,006 compare
- 184 Barbados 16,314 compare
- 186 Guam 15,516 compare
- 187 United States Virgin Islands 14,544 compare
- 188 Saint Lucia 14,257 compare
More education data for Tonga
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 818 (2024)
- 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 4 (2025)
- Population ages 15-64 58.2% (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 34.9% (2025)
- Lower secondary school starting age 12 years (2025)
- Primary school starting age 6 years (2025)
- Primary secondary enrollment completion rates, gaps filled 108.79 (2024)
- School enrollment, primary 108.8% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Tonga?
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Tonga was 15,644 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in Tonga?
- The highest recorded value was 19,744 in 1979.
- What is the lowest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in Tonga?
- The lowest recorded value was 15,644 in 2024.
- How does Tonga rank for enrolment in primary education, both sexes?
- Tonga ranks 185th out of 218 countries with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in primary education, both sexes rising or falling in Tonga?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Tonga 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