Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Rwanda
Rwanda: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 19,504 children in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Rwanda, 1999–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in children.
Analysis
Rwanda recorded 19,504 children for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in 2024.
The figure is up 113.5% on the previous year and up 33.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Rwanda peaked at 541,211 children in 1999 and was at its lowest, 1,839 children, in 2021.
That places Rwanda 92nd out of 196 countries with data for 2024, putting it 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 Rwanda, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 541,211 children | — |
| 2002 | 140,152 children | -74.1% |
| 2003 | 165,831 children | +18.3% |
| 2016 | 14,570 children | -91.2% |
| 2017 | 21,152 children | +45.2% |
| 2018 | 25,201 children | +19.1% |
| 2019 | 28,353 children | +12.5% |
| 2021 | 1,839 children | -93.5% |
| 2023 | 9,134 children | +396.7% |
| 2024 | 19,504 children | +113.5% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 19,504 children is below the median for low income countries, which is 581,845 children, 3% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
- Rwanda's 19,504 children is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 235,313 children, 8% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 541,211 children | 541,211 children | 541,211 children | 1 |
| 2000s | 152,992 children | 140,152 children | 165,831 children | 2 |
| 2010s | 22,319 children | 14,570 children | 28,353 children | 4 |
| 2020s | 10,159 children | 1,839 children | 19,504 children | 3 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
- 89 Nepal 21,146 children compare
- 90 Belarus 20,600 children compare
- 91 Costa Rica 19,701 children compare
- 93 Morocco 18,988 children compare
- 94 Kyrgyzstan 18,854 children compare
- 95 Uzbekistan 18,501 children compare
More education data for Rwanda
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 34,324 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 795,920 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 305,636 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 299,593 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 901,617 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.01 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 5.93 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2109 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Rwanda?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Rwanda was 19,504 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 Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 541,211 children in 1999.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,839 children in 2021.
- How does Rwanda rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- Rwanda ranks 92nd 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 Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is up 33.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Rwanda 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 — 10 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.