Out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in India
India: Out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary was 10.20 million in 2025. ▼ Falling
Out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in India, 2013–2025
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
India recorded 10.20 million for out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 7.2% on the previous year and down 9.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in India peaked at 12.91 million in 2020 and was at its lowest, 7.98 million, in 2022.
That places India 2nd out of 181 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
Out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 11.23 million | — |
| 2020 | 12.91 million | +15.0% |
| 2021 | 10.05 million | -22.1% |
| 2022 | 7.98 million | -20.6% |
| 2023 | 12.33 million | +54.4% |
| 2024 | 10.99 million | -10.9% |
| 2025 | 10.20 million | -7.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 11.23 million | 11.23 million | 11.23 million | 1 |
| 2020s | 10.74 million | 7.98 million | 12.91 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near India
- 1 Ethiopia 10.77 million compare
- 3 Tanzania, United Republic of 5.13 million compare
- 4 Niger 3.99 million compare
- 5 Bangladesh 3.26 million compare
More education data for India
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.31 million (2025)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 3.10 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 19.37 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 18.52 million (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 133.16 million (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 126.12 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -8.85 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0862 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in India?
- Out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in India was 10.20 million in 2025, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 12.91 million in 2020.
- What is the lowest out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.98 million in 2022.
- How does India rank for out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary?
- India ranks 2nd out of 181 countries with data for 2025.
- Is out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary school age, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release