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 5.10 million in 2024. ▬ Flat
Out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in India, 2013–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in India is 5.10 million, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 11.3% on the previous year and up 3.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in India peaked at 5.76 million in 2023 and was at its lowest, 3.29 million, in 2022.
That places India 2nd out of 170 countries with data for 2024, 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 | 4.93 million | — |
| 2020 | 5.49 million | +11.3% |
| 2021 | 4.31 million | -21.5% |
| 2022 | 3.29 million | -23.6% |
| 2023 | 5.76 million | +74.8% |
| 2024 | 5.10 million | -11.3% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 5.10 million is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 120,860, 42.2× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- India's 5.10 million is above the median for South Asia, which is 112,619, 45.3× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 4.93 million | 4.93 million | 4.93 million | 1 |
| 2020s | 4.79 million | 3.29 million | 5.76 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near India
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 5.10 million in 2024, 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 5.76 million in 2023.
- What is the lowest out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.29 million in 2022.
- How does India rank for out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary?
- India ranks 2nd out of 170 countries with data for 2024.
- Is out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- 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, female (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release