Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in Bangladesh
Bangladesh: Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes was 5.9% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in Bangladesh, 1970–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in Bangladesh is 5.9%, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 14.9% on the previous year and up 78.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in Bangladesh peaked at 51.1% in 1970 and was at its lowest, 3.3%, in 2017.
That places Bangladesh 79th out of 203 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.
Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in Bangladesh, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 51.1% | — |
| 1973 | 30.8% | -39.6% |
| 1976 | 25.8% | -16.3% |
| 1977 | 31.2% | +20.8% |
| 1978 | 33.1% | +6.1% |
| 1981 | 39.2% | +18.6% |
| 1983 | 42.0% | +7.2% |
| 1984 | 42.7% | +1.6% |
| 1985 | 43.8% | +2.6% |
| 1986 | 44.2% | +0.9% |
| 1987 | 44.8% | +1.3% |
| 1988 | 35.0% | -21.9% |
| 1989 | 35.1% | +0.4% |
| 1990 | 32.6% | -7.3% |
| 2005 | 6.8% | -79.0% |
| 2006 | 7.5% | +10.5% |
| 2008 | 13.1% | +73.5% |
| 2009 | 12.9% | -1.2% |
| 2010 | 9.8% | -24.6% |
| 2017 | 3.3% | -66.4% |
| 2018 | 3.4% | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 7.3% | +117.0% |
| 2023 | 6.9% | -5.5% |
| 2024 | 5.9% | -14.9% |
Bangladesh compared with similar countries
- Bangladesh's 5.9% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 6.9%, 85% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Bangladesh's 5.9% is above the median for South Asia, which is 3.4%, 1.7× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in Bangladesh 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +117.0% | 3.4% | 7.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 34.4% | 25.8% | 51.1% | 5 |
| 1980s | 40.9% | 35.0% | 44.8% | 8 |
| 1990s | 32.6% | 32.6% | 32.6% | 1 |
| 2000s | 10.1% | 6.8% | 13.1% | 4 |
| 2010s | 5.5% | 3.3% | 9.8% | 3 |
| 2020s | 6.7% | 5.9% | 7.3% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Bangladesh
- 76 San Marino 6.1% compare
- 77 South Africa 6.1% compare
- 78 Bulgaria 5.9% compare
- 80 Oman 5.8% compare
- 81 Niue 5.7% compare
- 82 Cayman Islands 5.2% compare
More education data for Bangladesh
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 571,690 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 387,056 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.73 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.77 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 15.07 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 16.69 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.67 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0961 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in Bangladesh?
- Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in Bangladesh was 5.9% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in Bangladesh?
- The highest recorded value was 51.1% in 1970.
- What is the lowest out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in Bangladesh?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.3% in 2017.
- How does Bangladesh rank for out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes?
- Bangladesh ranks 79th out of 203 countries with data for 2024.
- Is out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes rising or falling in Bangladesh?
- Over the last ten years it is up 78.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bangladesh data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release