Out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary was 15,808 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in United Kingdom, 2000–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in United Kingdom is 15,808, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 39.8% on the previous year and down 70.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in United Kingdom peaked at 102,192 in 2007 and was at its lowest, 3,955, in 2005.
United Kingdom ranks 92nd of 170 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 12,239 | — |
| 2001 | 8,686 | -29.0% |
| 2003 | 7,996 | -7.9% |
| 2004 | 14,823 | +85.4% |
| 2005 | 3,955 | -73.3% |
| 2006 | 49,545 | +1152.7% |
| 2007 | 102,192 | +106.3% |
| 2008 | 24,645 | -75.9% |
| 2009 | 14,466 | -41.3% |
| 2010 | 10,697 | -26.1% |
| 2011 | 42,690 | +299.1% |
| 2012 | 97,993 | +129.5% |
| 2013 | 54,178 | -44.7% |
| 2014 | 51,115 | -5.7% |
| 2015 | 52,806 | +3.3% |
| 2017 | 37,116 | -29.7% |
| 2018 | 32,028 | -13.7% |
| 2019 | 25,403 | -20.7% |
| 2020 | 16,443 | -35.3% |
| 2021 | 13,589 | -17.4% |
| 2022 | 11,304 | -16.8% |
| 2023 | 15,808 | +39.8% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 15,808 is above the median for high income countries, which is 3,882, 4.1× the median. (64 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 15,808 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 4,329, 3.7× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in United Kingdom changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | +1152.7% | 3,955 | 49,545 |
| 2011 | +299.1% | 10,697 | 42,690 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 26,505 | 3,955 | 102,192 | 9 |
| 2010s | 44,892 | 10,697 | 97,993 | 9 |
| 2020s | 14,286 | 11,304 | 16,443 | 4 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More education data for United Kingdom
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 388,714 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2012)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 830,495 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 790,556 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.40 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.86 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.0111 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.071 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in United Kingdom?
- Out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary in United Kingdom was 15,808 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 102,192 in 2007.
- What is the lowest out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,955 in 2005.
- How does United Kingdom rank for out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary?
- United Kingdom ranks 92nd out of 170 countries with data for 2023.
- Is out-of-school children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 70.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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, male (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 22 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release