United States: Primary education, pupils

Key figures

Over five years it is down 4.51% from 24.96 million in 2018 (0.92% a year on average, compounded). Since 2014 it is down 2.88% from 24.54 million in 2014 (0.32% a year on average, compounded).

What the numbers say

In 2023, United States' primary education, pupils rose 1.3% on 2022 (from 23.52 million to 23.83 million).

Across the 8 yearly changes before that (2015 to 2022), the average change was −0.5% and a typical year strayed about 1.2% from that (the standard deviation). This year's change was 1.5 standard deviations above that average, so it was larger than a typical year, though not out of the range seen before.

On record, the biggest yearly rise was 1.3% in 2023 and the biggest yearly fall was 2.3% in 2021. 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 the straight-line trend is downward, about 138,703 a year. A straight line explains 57% of the movement over 10 observed years.

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

How it compares

In 2023, United States had the 2nd highest value of the 44 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 United States in the 2023 ranking

• Nigeria — 1st of 44: 33.42 million
• Congo, Dem. Rep. — 3rd of 44: 21.15 million
• Iran, Islamic Rep. — 4th of 44: 9.09 million
• Kenya — 5th of 44: 8.04 million

What this measures

Primary education pupils is the total number of pupils enrolled at primary level in public and private schools.

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

All 10 values

Primary education, pupils in nearby economies

• Bermuda — 3,377 (2023)
• Canada — 2.43 million (2023)

More education data for United States

• 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)
• School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) — 79.36% (2022)
• School enrollment, tertiary (gross), gender parity index (GPI) — 1.32 (2022)
• School enrollment, tertiary, female (% gross) — 94.85% (2022)
• School enrollment, tertiary, male (% gross) — 64.54% (2022)
• Educational attainment, at least completed lower secondary, population 25+, total (%) (cumulative)

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 United States's primary education, pupils?

23.83 million in 2023, according to the World Bank (World Development Indicators).

How has it changed since 2014?

It is down 2.88% from 24.54 million in 2014 (0.32% a year on average, compounded). The highest value was 25.12 million in 2017 and the lowest 23.52 million in 2022.

How does United States rank?

2nd highest of 44 economies with data for 2023.

Is the latest change in primary education, pupils unusual for United States?

In 2023, United States' primary education, pupils rose 1.3% on 2022 (from 23.52 million to 23.83 million). Across the 8 yearly changes before that (2015 to 2022), the average change was −0.5% and a typical year strayed about 1.2% from that (the standard deviation). This year's change was 1.5 standard deviations above that average, so it was larger than a typical year, though not out of the range seen before.

Source

World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator SE.PRM.ENRL, 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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