Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in India
India: Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes was 134,967 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in India, 1971–2025
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2025, out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in India stood at 134,967.
The figure is up 12.7% on the previous year and down 97.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in India peaked at 28.44 million in 1971 and was at its lowest, 119,749, in 2024.
India ranks 51st of 204 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
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 India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 28.44 million | — |
| 1990 | 25.05 million | -11.9% |
| 2000 | 13.92 million | -44.4% |
| 2001 | 16.12 million | +15.8% |
| 2002 | 16.54 million | +2.6% |
| 2003 | 10.66 million | -35.6% |
| 2007 | 1.08 million | -89.8% |
| 2008 | 513,722 | -52.6% |
| 2009 | 2.23 million | +333.3% |
| 2010 | 1.40 million | -37.2% |
| 2011 | 3.42 million | +144.5% |
| 2012 | 864,367 | -74.7% |
| 2013 | 532,655 | -38.4% |
| 2016 | 5.01 million | +840.6% |
| 2017 | 7.33 million | +46.3% |
| 2018 | 7.72 million | +5.4% |
| 2019 | 8.89 million | +15.2% |
| 2020 | 4.87 million | -45.2% |
| 2021 | 2.76 million | -43.4% |
| 2022 | 180,672 | -93.4% |
| 2023 | 1.72 million | +853.4% |
| 2024 | 119,749 | -93.0% |
| 2025 | 134,967 | +12.7% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 134,967 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 76,741, 1.8× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- India's 134,967 is above the median for South Asia, which is 78,056, 1.7× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in India 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +853.4% | 180,672 | 1.72 million |
| 2016 | +840.6% | 532,655 | 5.01 million |
| 2009 | +333.3% | 513,722 | 2.23 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 28.44 million | 28.44 million | 28.44 million | 1 |
| 1990s | 25.05 million | 25.05 million | 25.05 million | 1 |
| 2000s | 8.72 million | 513,722 | 16.54 million | 7 |
| 2010s | 4.40 million | 532,655 | 8.89 million | 8 |
| 2020s | 1.63 million | 119,749 | 4.87 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near India
- 48 Zambia 136,539 compare
- 49 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 136,027 compare
- 50 Madagascar 135,621 compare
- 52 Equatorial Guinea 128,846 compare
- 53 Kazakhstan 128,155 compare
- 54 Canada 127,666 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 of primary school age, both sexes in India?
- Out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes in India was 134,967 in 2025, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 28.44 million in 1971.
- What is the lowest out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 119,749 in 2024.
- How does India rank for out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes?
- India ranks 51st out of 204 countries with data for 2025.
- Is out-of-school children of primary school age, both sexes rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 97.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India 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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About this data
February 2026 Data Release