Belgium: School enrollment, primary, male (% gross)

Key figures

What the numbers say

In 2023, Belgium's school enrollment, primary, male (% gross) fell 0.1 percentage points on 2022 (from 102.22% to 102.12%).

Across the 21 yearly changes before that (2002 to 2022), the average change was −0.08 percentage points and a typical year strayed about 0.55 percentage points from that (the standard deviation). This year's change was 0.0 standard deviations below that average, so it was an ordinary year: it sits within the range of normal year-to-year movement.

On record, the biggest yearly rise was 1.43 percentage points in 2013 and the biggest yearly fall was 1.02 percentage points in 2004. The numbers show how large and when, not why; for the cause, look at what happened in that country in those years.

From 2014 to 2023 there is no clear straight-line trend: a straight line explains 29% of the movement over 10 observed years, so the value is moving around more than it is heading anywhere.

Worked out from the yearly values above. How the checks work: standard deviation, z-scores and straight-line trends.

How it compares

In 2023, Belgium had the 20th highest value of the 42 economies reporting that year. Higher is not always better: for some indicators the lowest value is the one to aim for. See the full ranking.

Closest to Belgium in the 2023 ranking

• Türkiye — 16th of 42: 103.63%
• United Kingdom — 17th of 42: 102.24%
• Greece — 18th of 42: 102.19%
• Argentina — 20th of 42: 101.92%
• Iran, Islamic Rep. — 21st of 42: 101.88%
• Slovenia — 22nd of 42: 101.24%

What this measures

Gross enrollment ratio is the ratio of total enrollment, regardless of age, to the population of the age group that officially corresponds to the level of education shown. Primary education provides children with basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills along with an elementary understanding of such subjects as history, geography, natural science, social science, art, and music.

Limitations: Enrollment indicators are based on annual school surveys, but do not necessarily reflect actual attendance or dropout rates during the year. Also, the length of education differs across countries and can influence enrollment rates, although the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) tries to minimize the difference. For example, a shorter duration for primary education tends to increase the rate; a longer one to decrease it (in part because older children are more at risk of dropping out). Moreover, age at enrollment may be inaccurately estimated or misstated, especially in communities where registration of births is not strictly enforced.

Regional and income-group figures are computed by the World Bank as a weighted average.

All 23 values

School enrollment, primary, male (% gross) in nearby economies

• Albania — 111.59% (2024)
• Andorra — 99.95% (2024)
• Armenia — 102.89% (2024)
• Austria — 101.52% (2024)
• Azerbaijan — 105.96% (2024)
• Belarus — 96.89% (2024)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina — 100.28% (2023)
• Bulgaria — 95.24% (2024)
• Croatia — 101.11% (2023)
• Cyprus — 104.68% (2024)

More education data for Belgium

• Primary school starting age (years) — 6 (2025)
• Primary education, duration (years) — 6 (2025)
• Lower secondary school starting age (years) — 12 (2025)
• Secondary education, duration (years) — 6 (2025)
• Primary education, pupils — 814,388 (2023)
• Secondary education, pupils — 1.18 million (2023)
• School enrollment, primary (gross), gender parity index (GPI) — 1.01 (2020)
• School enrollment, primary and secondary (gross), gender parity index (GPI) — 1.08 (2020)
• School enrollment, secondary (gross), gender parity index (GPI) — 1.13 (2020)
• School enrollment, preprimary (% gross)

Reading data like this

• Where to find free public data, and how to check it before you trust it — 2 min read
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• Real change or random noise? A plain guide to reading your numbers — 2 min read

Questions people ask

What is Belgium's school enrollment, primary, male (% gross)?

102.12% in 2023, according to the World Bank (World Development Indicators).

How has it changed since 2001?

It is down 1.72 percentage points from 103.84% in 2001. The highest value was 104.24% in 2003 and the lowest 101.41% in 2011.

How does Belgium rank?

20th highest of 42 economies with data for 2023.

Is the latest change in school enrollment, primary, male (% gross) unusual for Belgium?

In 2023, Belgium's school enrollment, primary, male (% gross) fell 0.1 percentage points on 2022 (from 102.22% to 102.12%). Across the 21 yearly changes before that (2002 to 2022), the average change was −0.08 percentage points and a typical year strayed about 0.55 percentage points from that (the standard deviation). This year's change was 0.0 standard deviations below that average, so it was an ordinary year: it sits within the range of normal year-to-year movement.

Source

World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator SE.PRM.ENRR.MA, licensed CC BY 4.0. Original source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), uri: https://databrowser.uis.unesco.org/resources, note: The data are obtained through the UIS API. Figures are fetched from the World Bank API and refreshed monthly; see the series on data.worldbank.org. The full definition and method are in the World Bank's metadata glossary. Comparisons use the same World Bank release.

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