Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 3,326 children in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in United Kingdom, 2000–2023
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 United Kingdom is 3,326 children, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 3.8% on the previous year and down 96.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in United Kingdom peaked at 101,041 children in 2007 and was at its lowest, 1,175 children, in 2002.
That places United Kingdom 135th out of 196 countries with data for 2023, 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 United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2,385 children | — |
| 2001 | 2,186 children | -8.3% |
| 2002 | 1,175 children | -46.2% |
| 2003 | 1,887 children | +60.6% |
| 2004 | 25,967 children | +1276.1% |
| 2005 | 3,486 children | -86.6% |
| 2006 | 44,924 children | +1188.7% |
| 2007 | 101,041 children | +124.9% |
| 2008 | 16,367 children | -83.8% |
| 2009 | 31,426 children | +92.0% |
| 2010 | 23,362 children | -25.7% |
| 2011 | 46,270 children | +98.1% |
| 2012 | 81,776 children | +76.7% |
| 2013 | 83,792 children | +2.5% |
| 2014 | 75,047 children | -10.4% |
| 2015 | 66,907 children | -10.8% |
| 2016 | 59,716 children | -10.7% |
| 2017 | 37,098 children | -37.9% |
| 2018 | 14,916 children | -59.8% |
| 2019 | 2,533 children | -83.0% |
| 2020 | 1,260 children | -50.3% |
| 2021 | 1,601 children | +27.1% |
| 2022 | 3,458 children | +116.0% |
| 2023 | 3,326 children | -3.8% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 3,326 children is below the median for high income countries, which is 3,674 children, 91% of the median. (72 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 3,326 children is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 4,210 children, 79% 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 United Kingdom 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +1276.1% | 1,887 children | 25,967 children |
| 2006 | +1188.7% | 3,486 children | 44,924 children |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 23,084 children | 1,175 children | 101,041 children | 10 |
| 2010s | 49,142 children | 2,533 children | 83,792 children | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,411 children | 1,260 children | 3,458 children | 4 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More education data for United Kingdom
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 388,714 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2012)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 830,495 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 790,556 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.40 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.86 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.0111 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.071 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in United Kingdom?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in United Kingdom was 3,326 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 101,041 children in 2007.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,175 children in 2002.
- How does United Kingdom rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- United Kingdom ranks 135th 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 United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 96.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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
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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.