Primary education, pupils, gaps filled in Least developed countries
Least developed countries: Primary education, pupils, gaps filled was 171.01 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Primary education, pupils, gaps filled in Least developed countries, 1970–2024
Source: Statizoid (derived).
Analysis
The most recent figure for primary education, pupils, gaps filled in Least developed countries is 171.01 million, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 55 years on record.
The figure is up 1.0% on the previous year and up 17.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary education, pupils, gaps filled in Least developed countries peaked at 171.01 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 25.59 million, in 1971.
That places Least developed countries 19th out of 45 groups with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Primary education, pupils, gaps filled in Least developed countries, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 26.27 million | — |
| 1971 | 25.59 million | -2.6% |
| 1972 | 27.68 million | +8.2% |
| 1973 | 29.96 million | +8.3% |
| 1974 | 31.10 million | +3.8% |
| 1975 | 33.20 million | +6.8% |
| 1976 | 35.36 million | +6.5% |
| 1977 | 36.92 million | +4.4% |
| 1978 | 38.79 million | +5.1% |
| 1979 | 40.54 million | +4.5% |
| 1980 | 42.49 million | +4.8% |
| 1981 | 44.22 million | +4.1% |
| 1982 | 45.05 million | +1.9% |
| 1983 | 46.41 million | +3.0% |
| 1984 | 47.22 million | +1.8% |
| 1985 | 47.10 million | -0.2% |
| 1986 | 48.21 million | +2.3% |
| 1987 | 49.02 million | +1.7% |
| 1988 | 52.08 million | +6.2% |
| 1989 | 53.11 million | +2.0% |
| 1990 | 53.65 million | +1.0% |
| 1991 | 56.54 million | +5.4% |
| 1992 | 57.98 million | +2.6% |
| 1993 | 60.41 million | +4.2% |
| 1994 | 62.79 million | +3.9% |
| 1995 | 65.92 million | +5.0% |
| 1996 | 67.96 million | +3.1% |
| 1997 | 72.19 million | +6.2% |
| 1998 | 74.65 million | +3.4% |
| 1999 | 76.00 million | +1.8% |
| 2000 | 79.80 million | +5.0% |
| 2001 | 83.89 million | +5.1% |
| 2002 | 90.86 million | +8.3% |
| 2003 | 96.75 million | +6.5% |
| 2004 | 101.78 million | +5.2% |
| 2005 | 106.71 million | +4.8% |
| 2006 | 111.94 million | +4.9% |
| 2007 | 117.51 million | +5.0% |
| 2008 | 123.37 million | +5.0% |
| 2009 | 126.91 million | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 130.39 million | +2.7% |
| 2011 | 135.33 million | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 138.95 million | +2.7% |
| 2013 | 141.98 million | +2.2% |
| 2014 | 145.24 million | +2.3% |
| 2015 | 146.59 million | +0.9% |
| 2016 | 150.07 million | +2.4% |
| 2017 | 153.82 million | +2.5% |
| 2018 | 158.37 million | +3.0% |
| 2019 | 162.60 million | +2.7% |
| 2020 | 166.32 million | +2.3% |
| 2021 | 167.98 million | +1.0% |
| 2022 | 167.42 million | -0.3% |
| 2023 | 169.26 million | +1.1% |
| 2024 | 171.01 million | +1.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 32.54 million | 25.59 million | 40.54 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 47.49 million | 42.49 million | 53.11 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 64.81 million | 53.65 million | 76.00 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 103.95 million | 79.80 million | 126.91 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 146.33 million | 130.39 million | 162.60 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 168.40 million | 166.32 million | 171.01 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Least developed countries
- 16 Viet Nam 8.88 million compare
- 17 Uganda 8.84 million compare
- 18 Kenya 8.04 million compare
- 19 Mozambique 7.66 million compare
- 20 Russia 7.55 million compare
- 21 South Africa 7.52 million compare
- 22 Afghanistan 7.51 million compare
More education data for Least developed countries
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.04 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 4.43 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1441 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 15-64 57.7% (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 38.4% (2025)
- School enrollment, primary 100.7% (2024)
- Primary education, teachers 4.43 million (2024)
- Primary education, teachers, per capita 0.0037 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary education, pupils, gaps filled in Least developed countries?
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled in Least developed countries was 171.01 million in 2024, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest primary education, pupils, gaps filled recorded in Least developed countries?
- The highest recorded value was 171.01 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest primary education, pupils, gaps filled recorded in Least developed countries?
- The lowest recorded value was 25.59 million in 1971.
- How does Least developed countries rank for primary education, pupils, gaps filled?
- Least developed countries ranks 19th out of 45 groups with data for 2024.
- Is primary education, pupils, gaps filled rising or falling in Least developed countries?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Least developed countries data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Primary education, pupils, gaps filled. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 55 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
Primary education, pupils with 569 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.
Computed from
- Primary education, pupils Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
Primary education, pupils with 569 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.