Primary education, pupils in Least developed countries
Least developed countries: Primary education, pupils was 171.01 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
171.01 million
Change on year
up 1.0%
Rank
19th
of 45 groups
All-time high
171.01 million
in 2024
All-time low
25.59 million
in 1971
Years of data
55
1970–2024
Primary education, pupils in Least developed countries, 1970–2024
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for primary education, pupils 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 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 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 Vietnam 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
- Population ages 0-14 38.4% (2025)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1441 units per person (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 4.43 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.04 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 171.01 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 75.92 million (2024)
- Population ages 15-64 57.7% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary education, pupils in Least developed countries?
- Primary education, pupils in Least developed countries was 171.01 million in 2024, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest primary education, pupils recorded in Least developed countries?
- The highest recorded value was 171.01 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest primary education, pupils 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?
- Least developed countries ranks 19th out of 45 groups with data for 2024.
- Is primary education, pupils 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 Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Primary education, pupils. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 55 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Primary education pupils is the total number of pupils enrolled at primary level in public and private schools.