Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 17,458 children in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Saudi Arabia, 2013–2024
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 Saudi Arabia is 17,458 children, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 8 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 81.2% on the previous year and down 89.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Saudi Arabia peaked at 205,071 children in 2013 and was at its lowest, 17,458 children, in 2024.
That places Saudi Arabia 97th out of 196 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 205,071 children | — |
| 2014 | 166,103 children | -19.0% |
| 2015 | 107,094 children | -35.5% |
| 2016 | 84,608 children | -21.0% |
| 2020 | 69,746 children | -17.6% |
| 2021 | 109,130 children | +56.5% |
| 2022 | 92,867 children | -14.9% |
| 2024 | 17,458 children | -81.2% |
Saudi Arabia compared with similar countries
- Saudi Arabia's 17,458 children is above the median for high income countries, which is 3,674 children, 4.8× the median. (72 countries reporting)
- Saudi Arabia's 17,458 children is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 21,351 children, 82% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 140,719 children | 84,608 children | 205,071 children | 4 |
| 2020s | 72,300 children | 17,458 children | 109,130 children | 4 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
- 94 Kyrgyzstan 18,854 children compare
- 95 Uzbekistan 18,501 children compare
- 96 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 17,643 children compare
- 98 Guyana 17,362 children compare
- 99 Bulgaria 14,529 children compare
- 100 Tunisia 14,015 children compare
More education data for Saudi Arabia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 242,375 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 26,900 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 215,559 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 214,840 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.36 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.45 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.53 % change on previous year (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0976 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Saudi Arabia?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Saudi Arabia was 17,458 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 Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 205,071 children in 2013.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 17,458 children in 2024.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 97th 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 Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 89.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia 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.