Number of pupils in primary education worldwide 2000-2020

The number of pupils in primary education worldwide increased over the past years. While around 650 million children were enrolled in primary school in 2000, the number reached nearly 740 million pupils in 2020. The highest number of pupils, however, were registered in 2018, peaking at 742 million. During the same time period, more and more pupils completed primary education, standing at nearly 90 percent in 2019.

Secondary education

Since the turn of the millennium, the number of students in secondary education also increased significantly. About 452 million children were enrolled in some kind of secondary education in 2000; a number which has grown to 614 million in 2020. At the same time, the completion rate of lower secondary education also increased, reaching over 76 percent.

Increasing literacy rates

Moreover, as more and more pupils enter and complete education, both youth and adult literacy rates increased worldwide, particularly among girls and women. Nevertheless, illiteracy remains a challenge in some world regions, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.