Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Iraq
Iraq: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 498,693 children in 2007. ▲ Rising
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Iraq, 1986–2007
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in children.
Analysis
In 2007, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Iraq stood at 498,693 children.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 25.6% on the previous year and down 45.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Iraq peaked at 918,723 children in 1996 and was at its lowest, 276,988 children, in 1988.
Iraq ranks 21st of 196 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 11 years of available data.
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Iraq, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 353,506 children | — |
| 1987 | 316,421 children | -10.5% |
| 1988 | 276,988 children | -12.5% |
| 1989 | 309,657 children | +11.8% |
| 1993 | 644,561 children | +108.2% |
| 1996 | 918,723 children | +42.5% |
| 1999 | 596,787 children | -35.0% |
| 2000 | 712,580 children | +19.4% |
| 2003 | 622,762 children | -12.6% |
| 2004 | 670,413 children | +7.7% |
| 2007 | 498,693 children | -25.6% |
Iraq compared with similar countries
- Iraq's 498,693 children is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 21,241 children, 23.5× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- Iraq's 498,693 children is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 21,351 children, 23.4× the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 314,143 children | 276,988 children | 353,506 children | 4 |
| 1990s | 720,024 children | 596,787 children | 918,723 children | 3 |
| 2000s | 626,112 children | 498,693 children | 712,580 children | 4 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
- 18 Côte d'Ivoire 650,800 children compare
- 19 Syrian Arab Republic 581,845 children compare
- 20 Egypt 559,709 children compare
- 22 Kenya 468,923 children compare
- 23 South Africa 448,146 children compare
- 24 Malaysia 404,724 children compare
More education data for Iraq
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 148,363 (2007)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 818,729 (2007)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 55,944 (2007)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 52,985 (2007)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.04 million (2007)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.86 million (2007)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.26 % change on previous year (2004)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2007)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1713 units per person (2007)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Iraq?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Iraq was 498,693 children in 2007, 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 Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 918,723 children in 1996.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 276,988 children in 1988.
- How does Iraq rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- Iraq ranks 21st out of 196 countries with data for 2007.
- Is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is down 45.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Iraq 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 — 11 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.