Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in Canada

Canada: Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes was 127,666 in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
127,666
Change on year
down 3.8%
World rank
54th
of 204 countries
All-time high
132,683
in 2022
All-time low
6,768
in 2015
Years of data
13
2000–2023

Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in Canada, 2000–2023

050.0k100.0k150.0k2000201120232000: 14.5k2012: 11.2k2013: 13.6k2014: 10.7k2015: 6.8k2016: 34.1k2017: 32.8k2018: 32.6k2019: 69.7k2020: 77.4k2021: 119.6k2022: 132.7k2023: 127.7k

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

Canada recorded 127,666 for out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in 2023.

That represents a change of down 3.8% on the previous year and up 837.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in Canada peaked at 132,683 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 6,768, in 2015.

Canada ranks 54th of 204 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 of primary school age, both sexes in Canada, year by year

Annual values for Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes (number) in Canada, 2000 to 2023.
Year Value Change
2000 14,517
2012 11,171 -23.0%
2013 13,615 +21.9%
2014 10,728 -21.2%
2015 6,768 -36.9%
2016 34,118 +404.1%
2017 32,791 -3.9%
2018 32,648 -0.4%
2019 69,676 +113.4%
2020 77,439 +11.1%
2021 119,579 +54.4%
2022 132,683 +11.0%
2023 127,666 -3.8%

Canada compared with similar countries

  • Canada's 127,666 is above the median for high income countries, which is 3,450, 37.0× the median. (74 countries reporting)

Biggest year-on-year movements

Years where Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in Canada 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.

YearChange FromTo
2016 +404.1% 6,768 34,118

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 14,517 14,517 14,517 1
2010s 26,439 6,768 69,676 8
2020s 114,342 77,439 132,683 4

Countries ranked near Canada

  1. 51 India 134,967 compare
  2. 52 Equatorial Guinea 128,846 compare
  3. 53 Kazakhstan 128,155 compare
  4. 55 Lesotho 124,175 compare
  5. 56 Paraguay 105,859 compare
  6. 57 El Salvador 101,024 compare

See the full ranking of 243 places →

More education data for Canada

All data for Canada →

Frequently asked questions

What is out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in Canada?
Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in Canada was 127,666 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in Canada?
The highest recorded value was 132,683 in 2022.
What is the lowest out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in Canada?
The lowest recorded value was 6,768 in 2015.
How does Canada rank for out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes?
Canada ranks 54th out of 204 countries with data for 2023.
Is out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes rising or falling in Canada?
Over the last ten years it is up 837.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Canada data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in Canada. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/out-of-school-children-of-primary-school-age-both-sexes-number/canada/

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About this data

Indicator
Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes (number)
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
243 places, 5,701 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release