Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in India
India: Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes was 2.3% in 2013. ◆ Volatile
Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in India, 1971–2013
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 India is 2.3%, measured in 2013. That is the lowest value across all 13 years on record.
That represents a change of down 24.9% on the previous year and down 80.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in India peaked at 39.0% in 1971 and was at its lowest, 2.3%, in 2013.
That places India 97th out of 188 countries with data for 2013, 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 India, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 39.0% | — |
| 1990 | 22.9% | -41.3% |
| 2000 | 16.1% | -29.4% |
| 2001 | 16.2% | +0.4% |
| 2002 | 16.4% | +1.1% |
| 2003 | 11.5% | -29.5% |
| 2007 | 3.2% | -72.2% |
| 2008 | 3.2% | -1.6% |
| 2009 | 4.5% | +41.3% |
| 2010 | 3.9% | -13.1% |
| 2011 | 4.3% | +10.4% |
| 2012 | 3.0% | -29.7% |
| 2013 | 2.3% | -24.9% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 2.3% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 6.0%, 37% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- India's 2.3% is below the median for South Asia, which is 3.0%, 76% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 39.0% | 39.0% | 39.0% | 1 |
| 1990s | 22.9% | 22.9% | 22.9% | 1 |
| 2000s | 10.2% | 3.2% | 16.4% | 7 |
| 2010s | 3.4% | 2.3% | 4.3% | 4 |
Countries ranked near India
More education data for India
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.31 million (2025)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 3.10 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 19.37 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 18.52 million (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 133.16 million (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 126.12 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -8.85 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0862 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in India?
- Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in India was 2.3% in 2013, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 39.0% in 1971.
- What is the lowest out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.3% in 2013.
- How does India rank for out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes?
- India ranks 97th out of 188 countries with data for 2013.
- Is out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 80.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India 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
The number of students of the official age for primary education is subtracted from the total population of the same age. The result is expressed as a percentage of the population of the official age for primary education. For more information, consult the UNESCO Institute of Statistics website: http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/