Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Malawi
Malawi: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 70,758 children in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Malawi, 1999–2022
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 Malawi is 70,758 children, measured in 2022.
The figure is down 6.1% on the previous year and up 202.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Malawi peaked at 75,354 children in 2021 and was at its lowest, 16,470 children, in 2005.
That places Malawi 62nd out of 196 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Malawi, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 38,412 children | — |
| 2004 | 17,811 children | -53.6% |
| 2005 | 16,470 children | -7.5% |
| 2006 | 28,279 children | +71.7% |
| 2007 | 75,144 children | +165.7% |
| 2008 | 30,521 children | -59.4% |
| 2009 | 23,370 children | -23.4% |
| 2021 | 75,354 children | +222.4% |
| 2022 | 70,758 children | -6.1% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 70,758 children is below the median for low income countries, which is 581,845 children, 12% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 70,758 children is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 235,313 children, 30% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 38,412 children | 38,412 children | 38,412 children | 1 |
| 2000s | 31,932 children | 16,470 children | 75,144 children | 6 |
| 2020s | 73,056 children | 70,758 children | 75,354 children | 2 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More education data for Malawi
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 14,528 (2019)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1.25 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.16 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.75 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.7 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0004 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2193 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 4.75 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Malawi?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Malawi was 70,758 children in 2022, 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 Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 75,354 children in 2021.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 16,470 children in 2005.
- How does Malawi rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- Malawi ranks 62nd out of 196 countries with data for 2022.
- Is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 202.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi 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 — 9 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.