Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 14,529 children in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bulgaria, 2001–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in children.
Analysis
The most recent figure for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bulgaria is 14,529 children, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 24 years on record.
The figure is up 4.2% on the previous year and up 71.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bulgaria peaked at 14,529 children in 2024 and was at its lowest, 168 children, in 2008.
That places Bulgaria 99th 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 Bulgaria, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 5,572 children | — |
| 2002 | 1,172 children | -79.0% |
| 2003 | 1,123 children | -4.2% |
| 2004 | 1,122 children | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 309 children | -72.5% |
| 2006 | 412 children | +33.3% |
| 2007 | 179 children | -56.6% |
| 2008 | 168 children | -6.1% |
| 2009 | 2,682 children | +1496.4% |
| 2010 | 2,171 children | -19.1% |
| 2011 | 3,740 children | +72.3% |
| 2012 | 6,304 children | +68.6% |
| 2013 | 9,500 children | +50.7% |
| 2014 | 8,486 children | -10.7% |
| 2015 | 7,892 children | -7.0% |
| 2016 | 8,978 children | +13.8% |
| 2017 | 9,580 children | +6.7% |
| 2018 | 10,952 children | +14.3% |
| 2019 | 11,136 children | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 10,835 children | -2.7% |
| 2021 | 12,534 children | +15.7% |
| 2022 | 12,899 children | +2.9% |
| 2023 | 13,937 children | +8.0% |
| 2024 | 14,529 children | +4.2% |
Bulgaria compared with similar countries
- Bulgaria's 14,529 children is above the median for high income countries, which is 3,674 children, 4.0× the median. (72 countries reporting)
- Bulgaria's 14,529 children is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 4,210 children, 3.5× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bulgaria 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | +1496.4% | 168 children | 2,682 children |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,415 children | 168 children | 5,572 children | 9 |
| 2010s | 7,874 children | 2,171 children | 11,136 children | 10 |
| 2020s | 12,947 children | 10,835 children | 14,529 children | 5 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
- 96 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 17,643 children compare
- 97 Saudi Arabia 17,458 children compare
- 98 Guyana 17,362 children compare
- 100 Tunisia 14,015 children compare
- 101 Belgium 13,226 children compare
- 102 Timor-Leste 13,085 children compare
More education data for Bulgaria
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 43,834 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1,173 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 111,576 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 105,281 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 485,226 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 234,521 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.7644 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0364 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bulgaria?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Bulgaria was 14,529 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 Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 14,529 children in 2024.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was 168 children in 2008.
- How does Bulgaria rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- Bulgaria ranks 99th 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 Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 71.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bulgaria 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Children in the official primary school age range who are not enrolled in either primary or secondary education.