Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Portugal
Portugal: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 2,741 children in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Portugal, 2001–2023
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 Portugal stood at 2,741 children.
The figure is up 182.3% on the previous year and up 89.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Portugal peaked at 15,206 children in 2016 and was at its lowest, 62 children, in 2011.
Portugal ranks 141st 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 Portugal, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,821 children | — |
| 2002 | 90 children | -95.1% |
| 2003 | 520 children | +477.8% |
| 2004 | 462 children | -11.2% |
| 2005 | 1,166 children | +152.4% |
| 2006 | 569 children | -51.2% |
| 2007 | 2,190 children | +284.9% |
| 2008 | 5,581 children | +154.8% |
| 2009 | 860 children | -84.6% |
| 2010 | 175 children | -79.7% |
| 2011 | 62 children | -64.6% |
| 2012 | 1,584 children | +2454.8% |
| 2013 | 1,444 children | -8.8% |
| 2014 | 4,724 children | +227.1% |
| 2015 | 12,040 children | +154.9% |
| 2016 | 15,206 children | +26.3% |
| 2017 | 14,894 children | -2.1% |
| 2018 | 12,016 children | -19.3% |
| 2019 | 5,794 children | -51.8% |
| 2020 | 1,312 children | -77.4% |
| 2021 | 546 children | -58.4% |
| 2022 | 971 children | +77.8% |
| 2023 | 2,741 children | +182.3% |
Portugal compared with similar countries
- Portugal's 2,741 children is below the median for high income countries, which is 3,674 children, 75% of the median. (72 countries reporting)
- Portugal's 2,741 children is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 4,210 children, 65% of 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 Portugal 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | +2454.8% | 62 children | 1,584 children |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1,473 children | 90 children | 5,581 children | 9 |
| 2010s | 6,794 children | 62 children | 15,206 children | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,392 children | 546 children | 2,741 children | 4 |
Countries ranked near Portugal
More education data for Portugal
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 82,664 (2018)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 11,380 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 136,282 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 128,743 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 741,752 (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 598,661 (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.89 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0566 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Portugal?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Portugal was 2,741 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 Portugal?
- The highest recorded value was 15,206 children in 2016.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in Portugal?
- The lowest recorded value was 62 children in 2011.
- How does Portugal rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- Portugal ranks 141st 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 Portugal?
- Over the last ten years it is up 89.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Portugal 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.