Percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in United States
United States: Percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions was 90.3% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in United States, 1998–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in United States is 90.3%, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.7% on the previous year and down 1.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in United States peaked at 91.9% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 88.4%, in 1998.
United States ranks 90th of 201 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in United States, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 88.4% | — |
| 1999 | 88.4% | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 91.7% | +3.8% |
| 2014 | 91.9% | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 91.7% | -0.2% |
| 2016 | 91.1% | -0.7% |
| 2017 | 91.0% | -0.1% |
| 2018 | 91.2% | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 91.2% | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 91.7% | +0.6% |
| 2021 | 90.6% | -1.2% |
| 2022 | 90.9% | +0.4% |
| 2023 | 90.3% | -0.7% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 90.3% is above the median for high income countries, which is 87.7%, 1.0× the median. (73 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 88.4% | 88.4% | 88.4% | 2 |
| 2010s | 91.4% | 91.0% | 91.9% | 7 |
| 2020s | 90.9% | 90.3% | 91.7% | 4 |
Countries ranked near United States
- 87 Tunisia 90.9% compare
- 88 Slovakia 90.6% compare
- 89 Philippines 90.5% compare
- 91 Trinidad and Tobago 90.2% compare
- 92 Costa Rica 90.0% compare
- 93 Bolivia 89.9% 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 percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in United States?
- Percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions in United States was 90.3% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 91.9% in 2014.
- What is the lowest percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 88.4% in 1998.
- How does United States rank for percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions?
- United States ranks 90th out of 201 countries with data for 2023.
- Is percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Percentage of enrolment in primary education in public institutions, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release