Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Sweden
Sweden: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 4,270 children in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Sweden, 2001–2024
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 Sweden is 4,270 children, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 33.0% on the previous year and down 48.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Sweden peaked at 13,923 children in 2011 and was at its lowest, 1,099 children, in 2017.
That places Sweden 128th 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 Sweden, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 3,016 children | — |
| 2002 | 2,506 children | -16.9% |
| 2003 | 2,457 children | -2.0% |
| 2004 | 2,584 children | +5.2% |
| 2005 | 2,318 children | -10.3% |
| 2006 | 1,872 children | -19.2% |
| 2007 | 1,889 children | +0.9% |
| 2008 | 1,714 children | -9.3% |
| 2009 | 2,541 children | +48.2% |
| 2010 | 4,698 children | +84.9% |
| 2011 | 13,923 children | +196.4% |
| 2012 | 3,280 children | -76.4% |
| 2013 | 5,448 children | +66.1% |
| 2014 | 8,227 children | +51.0% |
| 2015 | 5,305 children | -35.5% |
| 2016 | 2,759 children | -48.0% |
| 2017 | 1,099 children | -60.2% |
| 2018 | 3,375 children | +207.1% |
| 2019 | 5,585 children | +65.5% |
| 2020 | 5,106 children | -8.6% |
| 2021 | 3,811 children | -25.4% |
| 2022 | 4,274 children | +12.1% |
| 2023 | 3,210 children | -24.9% |
| 2024 | 4,270 children | +33.0% |
Sweden compared with similar countries
- Sweden's 4,270 children is above the median for high income countries, which is 3,674 children, 1.2× the median. (72 countries reporting)
- Sweden's 4,270 children is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 4,210 children, 1.0× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2,322 children | 1,714 children | 3,016 children | 9 |
| 2010s | 5,370 children | 1,099 children | 13,923 children | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,134 children | 3,210 children | 5,106 children | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sweden
- 125 Macau, China 4,608 children compare
- 126 Bahamas 4,585 children compare
- 127 Hong Kong, China 4,491 children compare
- 129 Namibia 4,230 children compare
- 130 Japan 4,225 children compare
- 131 North Macedonia 4,151 children compare
More education data for Sweden
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 77,813 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1,302 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 235,975 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 222,360 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 987,895 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 859,847 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.8572 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0814 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Sweden?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in Sweden was 4,270 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 Sweden?
- The highest recorded value was 13,923 children in 2011.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in Sweden?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,099 children in 2017.
- How does Sweden rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- Sweden ranks 128th 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 Sweden?
- Over the last ten years it is down 48.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sweden 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.