Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bhutan
Bhutan: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 8,385 children in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bhutan, 1998–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in children.
Analysis
In 2024, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bhutan stood at 8,385 children.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 14.5% on the previous year and down 6.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bhutan peaked at 46,719 children in 1998 and was at its lowest, 4,954 children, in 2020.
That places Bhutan 114th out of 196 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bhutan, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 46,719 children | — |
| 1999 | 46,441 children | -0.6% |
| 2000 | 44,897 children | -3.3% |
| 2001 | 42,948 children | -4.3% |
| 2005 | 30,881 children | -28.1% |
| 2006 | 24,984 children | -19.1% |
| 2008 | 17,016 children | -31.9% |
| 2009 | 11,692 children | -31.3% |
| 2010 | 9,292 children | -20.5% |
| 2011 | 8,703 children | -6.3% |
| 2012 | 7,446 children | -14.4% |
| 2013 | 8,923 children | +19.8% |
| 2015 | 10,446 children | +17.1% |
| 2016 | 10,929 children | +4.6% |
| 2017 | 11,055 children | +1.2% |
| 2018 | 8,759 children | -20.8% |
| 2020 | 4,954 children | -43.4% |
| 2021 | 14,142 children | +185.5% |
| 2022 | 8,653 children | -38.8% |
| 2023 | 9,805 children | +13.3% |
| 2024 | 8,385 children | -14.5% |
Bhutan compared with similar countries
- Bhutan's 8,385 children is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 79,507 children, 11% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Bhutan's 8,385 children is below the median for South Asia, which is 78,056 children, 11% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bhutan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | +185.5% | 4,954 children | 14,142 children |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 46,580 children | 46,441 children | 46,719 children | 2 |
| 2000s | 28,736 children | 11,692 children | 44,897 children | 6 |
| 2010s | 9,444 children | 7,446 children | 11,055 children | 8 |
| 2020s | 9,188 children | 4,954 children | 14,142 children | 5 |
Countries ranked near Bhutan
More education data for Bhutan
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 6,995 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 9,961 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 6,905 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 6,735 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 67,821 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 91,759 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 3.26 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1159 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bhutan?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bhutan was 8,385 children in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in Bhutan?
- The highest recorded value was 46,719 children in 1998.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in Bhutan?
- The lowest recorded value was 4,954 children in 2020.
- How does Bhutan rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- Bhutan ranks 114th out of 196 countries with data for 2024.
- Is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region rising or falling in Bhutan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bhutan data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Children in the official primary school age range who are not enrolled in either primary or secondary education.