Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in France
France: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 8,155 children in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in France, 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 France is 8,155 children, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 82.4% on the previous year and down 85.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in France peaked at 149,151 children in 2003 and was at its lowest, 618 children, in 2018.
That places France 115th 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 France, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 138,945 children | — |
| 2002 | 140,553 children | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 149,151 children | +6.1% |
| 2004 | 148,892 children | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 3,243 children | -97.8% |
| 2006 | 1,136 children | -65.0% |
| 2007 | 5,208 children | +358.5% |
| 2008 | 20,115 children | +286.2% |
| 2009 | 36,009 children | +79.0% |
| 2010 | 51,322 children | +42.5% |
| 2011 | 9,824 children | -80.9% |
| 2012 | 14,993 children | +52.6% |
| 2013 | 23,622 children | +57.6% |
| 2014 | 56,322 children | +138.4% |
| 2015 | 21,490 children | -61.8% |
| 2016 | 7,005 children | -67.4% |
| 2017 | 2,457 children | -64.9% |
| 2018 | 618 children | -74.8% |
| 2019 | 4,882 children | +690.0% |
| 2020 | 768 children | -84.3% |
| 2021 | 2,925 children | +280.9% |
| 2022 | 1,773 children | -39.4% |
| 2023 | 4,470 children | +152.1% |
| 2024 | 8,155 children | +82.4% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 8,155 children is above the median for high income countries, which is 3,674 children, 2.2× the median. (72 countries reporting)
- France's 8,155 children is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 4,210 children, 1.9× 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 France 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +690.0% | 618 children | 4,882 children |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 71,472 children | 1,136 children | 149,151 children | 9 |
| 2010s | 19,254 children | 618 children | 56,322 children | 10 |
| 2020s | 3,618 children | 768 children | 8,155 children | 5 |
Countries ranked near France
More education data for France
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 457,956 (2019)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 43,533 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.19 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.14 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.27 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.13 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.27 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0602 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in France?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in France was 8,155 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 France?
- The highest recorded value was 149,151 children in 2003.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 618 children in 2018.
- How does France rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- France ranks 115th 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 France?
- Over the last ten years it is down 85.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this France 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
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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.