Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Japan
Japan: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 4,225 children in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Japan, 2013–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in children.
Analysis
In 2023, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Japan stood at 4,225 children. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is down 13.3% on the previous year and down 94.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Japan peaked at 77,384 children in 2013 and was at its lowest, 4,225 children, in 2023.
Japan ranks 130th of 196 countries on this measure, 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 Japan, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 77,384 children | — |
| 2014 | 5,601 children | -92.8% |
| 2015 | 8,547 children | +52.6% |
| 2016 | 7,807 children | -8.7% |
| 2017 | 6,301 children | -19.3% |
| 2018 | 7,076 children | +12.3% |
| 2019 | 5,142 children | -27.3% |
| 2020 | 5,944 children | +15.6% |
| 2021 | 6,419 children | +8.0% |
| 2022 | 4,874 children | -24.1% |
| 2023 | 4,225 children | -13.3% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 4,225 children is above the median for high income countries, which is 3,674 children, 1.1× the median. (72 countries reporting)
- Japan's 4,225 children is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 4,225 children, 1.0× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 16,837 children | 5,142 children | 77,384 children | 7 |
| 2020s | 5,366 children | 4,225 children | 6,419 children | 4 |
Countries ranked near Japan
More education data for Japan
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 627,777 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (1999)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.50 million (1999)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.46 million (1999)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.61 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.25 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.01 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0502 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Japan?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Japan was 4,225 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 Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 77,384 children in 2013.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 4,225 children in 2023.
- How does Japan rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- Japan ranks 130th 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 Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 94.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan 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.