Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Panama
Panama: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 35,837 children in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Panama, 1986–2024
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 Panama is 35,837 children, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 13.4% on the previous year and up 4.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Panama peaked at 55,869 children in 2017 and was at its lowest, 244 children, in 2006.
Panama ranks 73rd 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 Panama, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 39,700 children | — |
| 1987 | 37,516 children | -5.5% |
| 1988 | 41,874 children | +11.6% |
| 1989 | 39,310 children | -6.1% |
| 1990 | 42,108 children | +7.1% |
| 1999 | 25,960 children | -38.3% |
| 2000 | 21,214 children | -18.3% |
| 2001 | 15,338 children | -27.7% |
| 2002 | 6,361 children | -58.5% |
| 2004 | 476 children | -92.5% |
| 2005 | 2,000 children | +320.2% |
| 2006 | 244 children | -87.8% |
| 2007 | 390 children | +59.8% |
| 2008 | 2,172 children | +456.9% |
| 2009 | 13,503 children | +521.7% |
| 2010 | 12,001 children | -11.1% |
| 2011 | 17,273 children | +43.9% |
| 2012 | 20,906 children | +21.0% |
| 2013 | 25,120 children | +20.2% |
| 2014 | 34,200 children | +36.1% |
| 2015 | 43,797 children | +28.1% |
| 2017 | 55,869 children | +27.6% |
| 2019 | 54,425 children | -2.6% |
| 2020 | 44,539 children | -18.2% |
| 2021 | 15,870 children | -64.4% |
| 2022 | 14,057 children | -11.4% |
| 2023 | 41,370 children | +194.3% |
| 2024 | 35,837 children | -13.4% |
Panama compared with similar countries
- Panama's 35,837 children is above the median for high income countries, which is 3,674 children, 9.8× the median. (72 countries reporting)
- Panama's 35,837 children is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 17,362 children, 2.1× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Panama 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | +521.7% | 2,172 children | 13,503 children |
| 2008 | +456.9% | 390 children | 2,172 children |
| 2005 | +320.2% | 476 children | 2,000 children |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 39,600 children | 37,516 children | 41,874 children | 4 |
| 1990s | 34,034 children | 25,960 children | 42,108 children | 2 |
| 2000s | 6,855 children | 244 children | 21,214 children | 9 |
| 2010s | 32,949 children | 12,001 children | 55,869 children | 8 |
| 2020s | 30,335 children | 14,057 children | 44,539 children | 5 |
Countries ranked near Panama
More education data for Panama
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 23,777 (2017)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 10,042 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 47,857 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 46,052 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 311,983 (2017)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 451,308 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.02 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0999 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Panama?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Panama was 35,837 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 Panama?
- The highest recorded value was 55,869 children in 2017.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in Panama?
- The lowest recorded value was 244 children in 2006.
- How does Panama rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- Panama ranks 73rd 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 Panama?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Panama 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.
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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.