Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in United States
United States: Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region was 965,853 children in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in United States, 2005–2022
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in children.
Analysis
In 2022, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in United States stood at 965,853 children.
The figure is down 3.0% on the previous year and up 35.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in United States peaked at 996,160 children in 2021 and was at its lowest, 88,850 children, in 2016.
United States ranks 13th of 196 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
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 States, year by year
| Year | children | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 135,557 children | — |
| 2013 | 711,515 children | +424.9% |
| 2015 | 446,256 children | -37.3% |
| 2016 | 88,850 children | -80.1% |
| 2017 | 104,711 children | +17.9% |
| 2018 | 141,533 children | +35.2% |
| 2019 | 224,977 children | +59.0% |
| 2020 | 489,065 children | +117.4% |
| 2021 | 996,160 children | +103.7% |
| 2022 | 965,853 children | -3.0% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 965,853 children is above the median for high income countries, which is 3,674 children, 262.9× the median. (72 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 135,557 children | 135,557 children | 135,557 children | 1 |
| 2010s | 286,307 children | 88,850 children | 711,515 children | 6 |
| 2020s | 817,026 children | 489,065 children | 996,160 children | 3 |
Countries ranked near United States
More education data for United States
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 1.74 million (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 419,732 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 4.34 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 4.14 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 25.35 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 23.83 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.33 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0708 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in United States?
- Primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region in United States was 965,853 children in 2022, 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 States?
- The highest recorded value was 996,160 children in 2021.
- What is the lowest primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 88,850 children in 2016.
- How does United States rank for primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region?
- United States ranks 13th out of 196 countries with data for 2022.
- Is primary-school-age children who are out of school by world region rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 35.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States 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.