Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in Laos
Laos: Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes was 10.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
10.4%
Change on year
up 0.3%
World rank
53rd
of 203 countries
All-time high
43.6%
in 1992
All-time low
4.0%
in 2014
Years of data
35
1988–2025
Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in Laos, 1988–2025
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
Laos recorded 10.4% for out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.3% on the previous year and up 114.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in Laos peaked at 43.6% in 1992 and was at its lowest, 4.0%, in 2014.
Laos ranks 53rd of 203 countries on this measure, 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 Laos, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 35.7% | — |
| 1990 | 36.3% | +1.7% |
| 1992 | 43.6% | +19.9% |
| 1993 | 38.8% | -10.9% |
| 1994 | 35.0% | -9.9% |
| 1996 | 32.6% | -6.8% |
| 1997 | 30.0% | -8.0% |
| 1998 | 26.6% | -11.3% |
| 1999 | 25.9% | -2.8% |
| 2000 | 25.0% | -3.3% |
| 2001 | 25.6% | +2.3% |
| 2002 | 24.2% | -5.6% |
| 2003 | 21.5% | -10.8% |
| 2004 | 21.2% | -1.5% |
| 2005 | 20.6% | -3.0% |
| 2006 | 20.0% | -2.7% |
| 2007 | 17.5% | -12.5% |
| 2008 | 15.3% | -12.9% |
| 2009 | 13.0% | -15.2% |
| 2010 | 8.3% | -36.3% |
| 2011 | 8.0% | -3.4% |
| 2012 | 7.5% | -6.2% |
| 2013 | 5.0% | -33.4% |
| 2014 | 4.0% | -20.2% |
| 2015 | 4.8% | +21.4% |
| 2016 | 5.3% | +9.0% |
| 2017 | 6.3% | +19.2% |
| 2018 | 6.8% | +8.5% |
| 2019 | 6.7% | -2.2% |
| 2020 | 6.9% | +3.4% |
| 2021 | 7.0% | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 9.4% | +33.6% |
| 2023 | 9.5% | +0.8% |
| 2024 | 10.3% | +9.2% |
| 2025 | 10.4% | +0.3% |
Laos compared with similar countries
- Laos's 10.4% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 6.9%, 1.5× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Laos's 10.4% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 2.6%, 3.9× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 35.7% | 35.7% | 35.7% | 1 |
| 1990s | 33.6% | 25.9% | 43.6% | 8 |
| 2000s | 20.4% | 13.0% | 25.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.2% | 4.0% | 8.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.9% | 6.9% | 10.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Laos
More education data for Laos
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 35,584 (2022)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 16,396 (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 116,303 (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 115,863 (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 532,092 (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 739,554 (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.0716 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0939 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in Laos?
- Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in Laos was 10.4% in 2025, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in Laos?
- The highest recorded value was 43.6% in 1992.
- What is the lowest out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.0% in 2014.
- How does Laos rank for out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes?
- Laos ranks 53rd out of 203 countries with data for 2025.
- Is out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is up 114.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Laos 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