Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Canada
Canada: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 127,666 children in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Canada, 2000–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in children.
Analysis
Canada recorded 127,666 children for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in 2023.
The figure is down 3.8% on the previous year and up 837.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Canada peaked at 132,683 children in 2022 and was at its lowest, 6,768 children, in 2015.
That places Canada 53rd out of 196 countries with data for 2023, 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 Canada, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 14,517 children | — |
| 2012 | 11,171 children | -23.0% |
| 2013 | 13,615 children | +21.9% |
| 2014 | 10,728 children | -21.2% |
| 2015 | 6,768 children | -36.9% |
| 2016 | 34,118 children | +404.1% |
| 2017 | 32,791 children | -3.9% |
| 2018 | 32,648 children | -0.4% |
| 2019 | 69,676 children | +113.4% |
| 2020 | 77,439 children | +11.1% |
| 2021 | 119,579 children | +54.4% |
| 2022 | 132,683 children | +11.0% |
| 2023 | 127,666 children | -3.8% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 127,666 children is above the median for high income countries, which is 3,674 children, 34.7× the median. (72 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region 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.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | +404.1% | 6,768 children | 34,118 children |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 14,517 children | 14,517 children | 14,517 children | 1 |
| 2010s | 26,439 children | 6,768 children | 69,676 children | 8 |
| 2020s | 114,342 children | 77,439 children | 132,683 children | 4 |
Countries ranked near Canada
- 50 India 134,967 children compare
- 51 Equatorial Guinea 128,846 children compare
- 52 Kazakhstan 128,155 children compare
- 54 Lesotho 124,175 children compare
- 55 Paraguay 105,859 children compare
- 56 El Salvador 101,024 children compare
More education data for Canada
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 133,275 (1996)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2011)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 291,075 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 273,465 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.70 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.43 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.83 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0607 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Canada?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Canada was 127,666 children in 2023, 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 Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 132,683 children in 2022.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 6,768 children in 2015.
- How does Canada rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- Canada ranks 53rd out of 196 countries with data for 2023.
- Is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region 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 (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 — 13 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.