Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in UIS: Sub-saharan Africa
UIS: Sub-saharan Africa: Population of compulsory school age, both sexes was 238.90 million in 2024. ▲ Rising
Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in UIS: Sub-saharan Africa, 1997–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2024, population of compulsory school age, both sexes in UIS: Sub-saharan Africa stood at 238.90 million. That is the highest value across all 28 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.4% on the previous year and up 27.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population of compulsory school age, both sexes in UIS: Sub-saharan Africa peaked at 238.90 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 84.38 million, in 1997.
UIS: Sub-saharan Africa ranks 54th 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 UIS: 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 | 88.45 million | +2.3% |
| 2001 | 90.53 million | +2.4% |
| 2002 | 92.56 million | +2.2% |
| 2003 | 95.20 million | +2.9% |
| 2004 | 131.98 million | +38.6% |
| 2005 | 135.07 million | +2.3% |
| 2006 | 139.36 million | +3.2% |
| 2007 | 145.33 million | +4.3% |
| 2008 | 155.52 million | +7.0% |
| 2009 | 159.47 million | +2.5% |
| 2010 | 164.73 million | +3.3% |
| 2011 | 169.08 million | +2.6% |
| 2012 | 173.60 million | +2.7% |
| 2013 | 182.70 million | +5.2% |
| 2014 | 187.60 million | +2.7% |
| 2015 | 192.91 million | +2.8% |
| 2016 | 201.16 million | +4.3% |
| 2017 | 206.50 million | +2.7% |
| 2018 | 211.73 million | +2.5% |
| 2019 | 216.69 million | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 221.38 million | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 229.61 million | +3.7% |
| 2022 | 233.91 million | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 237.93 million | +1.7% |
| 2024 | 238.90 million | +0.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 85.07 million | 84.38 million | 86.46 million | 3 |
| 2000s | 123.35 million | 88.45 million | 159.47 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 190.67 million | 164.73 million | 216.69 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 232.35 million | 221.38 million | 238.90 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near UIS: Sub-saharan Africa
More education data for UIS: Sub-saharan Africa
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) 9.73 million (2021)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth rate 0.7518 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), gaps filled 37.39 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), annual growth rate 1.61 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), gaps filled 40.73 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), annual growth rate 1.23 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 25.04 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), annual 1.63 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, male (number) 3.6 % change on previous year (2021)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) 4.53 % change on previous year (2021)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population of compulsory school age, both sexes in UIS: Sub-saharan Africa?
- Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in UIS: Sub-saharan Africa was 238.90 million in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest population of compulsory school age, both sexes recorded in UIS: Sub-saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 238.90 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest population of compulsory school age, both sexes recorded in UIS: Sub-saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 84.38 million in 1997.
- How does UIS: Sub-saharan Africa rank for population of compulsory school age, both sexes?
- UIS: Sub-saharan Africa ranks 54th out of 221 groups with data for 2024.
- Is population of compulsory school age, both sexes rising or falling in UIS: Sub-saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this UIS: 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