Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in MDG: Sub-saharan Africa
MDG: Sub-saharan Africa: Population of compulsory school age, both sexes was 250.47 million in 2024. ▲ Rising
Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in MDG: Sub-saharan Africa, 1997–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population of compulsory school age, both sexes in MDG: Sub-saharan Africa is 250.47 million, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 28 years on record.
The figure is up 0.4% on the previous year and up 27.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population of compulsory school age, both sexes in MDG: Sub-saharan Africa peaked at 250.47 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 84.38 million, in 1997.
MDG: Sub-saharan Africa ranks 46th of 221 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 28 years of available data.
Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in MDG: Sub-saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 84.38 million | — |
| 1998 | 84.38 million | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 86.46 million | +2.5% |
| 2000 | 88.63 million | +2.5% |
| 2001 | 91.35 million | +3.1% |
| 2002 | 93.41 million | +2.2% |
| 2003 | 96.07 million | +2.9% |
| 2004 | 132.87 million | +38.3% |
| 2005 | 141.33 million | +6.4% |
| 2006 | 145.74 million | +3.1% |
| 2007 | 151.83 million | +4.2% |
| 2008 | 162.15 million | +6.8% |
| 2009 | 166.27 million | +2.5% |
| 2010 | 173.49 million | +4.3% |
| 2011 | 178.04 million | +2.6% |
| 2012 | 182.78 million | +2.7% |
| 2013 | 192.12 million | +5.1% |
| 2014 | 197.24 million | +2.7% |
| 2015 | 202.78 million | +2.8% |
| 2016 | 211.25 million | +4.2% |
| 2017 | 216.81 million | +2.6% |
| 2018 | 222.28 million | +2.5% |
| 2019 | 227.44 million | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 232.32 million | +2.1% |
| 2021 | 240.74 million | +3.6% |
| 2022 | 245.25 million | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 249.51 million | +1.7% |
| 2024 | 250.47 million | +0.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 85.07 million | 84.38 million | 86.46 million | 3 |
| 2000s | 126.97 million | 88.63 million | 166.27 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 200.42 million | 173.49 million | 227.44 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 243.66 million | 232.32 million | 250.47 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near MDG: Sub-saharan Africa
More education data for MDG: Sub-saharan Africa
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, male (number), gaps 5.90 million (2021)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), gaps filled 39.14 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), annual growth rate 1.62 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), gaps filled 42.42 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), annual growth rate 1.27 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 26.38 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), annual 1.59 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, male (number) 3.52 % change on previous year (2021)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) 3.88 % change on previous year (2021)
- Teachers in primary education, male (number), gaps filled 2.60 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population of compulsory school age, both sexes in MDG: Sub-saharan Africa?
- Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in MDG: Sub-saharan Africa was 250.47 million in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest population of compulsory school age, both sexes recorded in MDG: Sub-saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 250.47 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest population of compulsory school age, both sexes recorded in MDG: Sub-saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 84.38 million in 1997.
- How does MDG: Sub-saharan Africa rank for population of compulsory school age, both sexes?
- MDG: Sub-saharan Africa ranks 46th out of 221 groups with data for 2024.
- Is population of compulsory school age, both sexes rising or falling in MDG: Sub-saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this MDG: Sub-saharan Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Population of compulsory school age, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release