Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in United States of America
United States of America: Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal was 5.1% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in United States of America, 1994–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in United States of America is 5.1%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 1.2% on the previous year and down 15.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in United States of America peaked at 6.0% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 1.2%, in 2000.
United States of America ranks 43rd of 103 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.
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in United States of America, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 1.6% | — |
| 1995 | 1.5% | -5.1% |
| 1996 | 1.4% | -6.5% |
| 1997 | 1.3% | -4.0% |
| 1998 | 1.3% | -2.6% |
| 1999 | 1.3% | -3.8% |
| 2000 | 1.2% | -7.0% |
| 2001 | 1.2% | +4.6% |
| 2002 | 1.3% | +2.3% |
| 2003 | 1.4% | +9.7% |
| 2004 | 1.5% | +6.7% |
| 2005 | 1.4% | -1.4% |
| 2006 | 1.4% | -3.0% |
| 2007 | 1.5% | +6.1% |
| 2008 | 1.5% | -0.3% |
| 2009 | 1.6% | +10.6% |
| 2010 | 1.9% | +14.8% |
| 2011 | 2.0% | +3.9% |
| 2012 | 1.9% | -1.4% |
| 2014 | 6.0% | +212.4% |
| 2015 | 5.9% | -2.4% |
| 2016 | 5.7% | -3.2% |
| 2017 | 5.7% | -0.6% |
| 2018 | 5.6% | -0.7% |
| 2019 | 5.4% | -3.2% |
| 2020 | 5.3% | -3.3% |
| 2021 | 5.4% | +2.0% |
| 2022 | 5.0% | -6.0% |
| 2023 | 5.0% | +0.1% |
| 2024 | 5.1% | +1.2% |
United States of America compared with similar countries
- United States of America's 5.1% is below the median for high income countries, which is 9.5%, 54% of the median. (42 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in United States of America 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | +212.4% | 1.9% | 6.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.4% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 6 |
| 2000s | 1.4% | 1.2% | 1.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.5% | 1.9% | 6.0% | 9 |
| 2020s | 5.2% | 5.0% | 5.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near United States of America
More education data for United States of America
- 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 participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in United States of America?
- Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in United States of America was 5.1% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal recorded in United States of America?
- The highest recorded value was 6.0% in 2014.
- What is the lowest participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal recorded in United States of America?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.2% in 2000.
- How does United States of America rank for participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal?
- United States of America ranks 43rd out of 103 countries with data for 2024.
- Is participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal rising or falling in United States of America?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States of America data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, 25-54 years old, female (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release