Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in United States
United States: Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes was 4.0% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in United States, 2005–2022
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 United States is 4.0%, measured in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.8% on the previous year and up 37.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in United States peaked at 4.1% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 2016.
That places United States 101st out of 203 countries with data for 2022, 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 United States, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 0.6% | — |
| 2013 | 2.9% | +412.8% |
| 2015 | 1.8% | -37.7% |
| 2016 | 0.4% | -80.1% |
| 2017 | 0.4% | +17.9% |
| 2018 | 0.6% | +35.3% |
| 2019 | 0.9% | +59.6% |
| 2020 | 2.0% | +118.8% |
| 2021 | 4.1% | +104.2% |
| 2022 | 4.0% | -2.8% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 4.0% is above the median for high income countries, which is 1.8%, 2.2× the median. (74 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 1 |
| 2010s | 1.2% | 0.4% | 2.9% | 6 |
| 2020s | 3.4% | 2.0% | 4.1% | 3 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 98 Uganda 4.1% compare
- 99 French Polynesia 4.1%
- 100 Papua New Guinea 4.0% compare
- 102 Dominica 4.0% compare
- 103 Eswatini 3.8% compare
- 104 North Macedonia 3.8% compare
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 out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in United States?
- Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in United States was 4.0% in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 4.1% in 2021.
- What is the lowest out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 2016.
- How does United States rank for out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes?
- United States ranks 101st out of 203 countries with data for 2022.
- Is out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 37.4%. 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, 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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CSV · JSON — 10 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release