Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in South Asia
South Asia: Population of compulsory school age, both sexes was 290.39 million number in 2019. ◆ Volatile
Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in South Asia, 1997–2019
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population of compulsory school age, both sexes in South Asia is 290.39 million number, measured in 2019.
The figure is down 0.3% on the previous year and up 4.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population of compulsory school age, both sexes in South Asia peaked at 291.79 million number in 2017 and was at its lowest, 62.74 million number, in 1997.
That places South Asia 9th out of 43 groups with data for 2019, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in South Asia, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 62.74 million number | — |
| 1998 | 62.74 million number | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 64.07 million number | +2.1% |
| 2000 | 65.34 million number | +2.0% |
| 2001 | 66.59 million number | +1.9% |
| 2002 | 67.89 million number | +2.0% |
| 2003 | 69.13 million number | +1.8% |
| 2004 | 70.28 million number | +1.7% |
| 2005 | 71.29 million number | +1.4% |
| 2006 | 72.28 million number | +1.4% |
| 2007 | 73.24 million number | +1.3% |
| 2008 | 76.12 million number | +3.9% |
| 2009 | 277.27 million number | +264.2% |
| 2010 | 278.98 million number | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 280.38 million number | +0.5% |
| 2012 | 281.71 million number | +0.5% |
| 2013 | 282.93 million number | +0.4% |
| 2014 | 283.94 million number | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 290.72 million number | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 291.59 million number | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 291.79 million number | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 291.40 million number | -0.1% |
| 2019 | 290.39 million number | -0.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 63.18 million number | 62.74 million number | 64.07 million number | 3 |
| 2000s | 90.94 million number | 65.34 million number | 277.27 million number | 10 |
| 2010s | 286.38 million number | 278.98 million number | 291.79 million number | 10 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
More reference data data for South Asia
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 102.17 (2026)
- CPI Price, nominal 246.03 (2026)
- CPI Price, nominal, seas. adj. 247.05 (2026)
- School age population, one year before than official primary entry 16.19 million number (2019)
- School age population, one year before than official primary entry 33.83 million number (2019)
- School age population, one year before than official primary entry 17.64 million number (2019)
- School life expectancy, primary, both sexes 5.02 years (2019)
- School life expectancy, primary, male 5.06 years (2019)
- School life expectancy, primary, female 4.98 years (2019)
- Share of all students in secondary education enrolled in general 98.2% (2019)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population of compulsory school age, both sexes in South Asia?
- Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in South Asia was 290.39 million number in 2019, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest population of compulsory school age, both sexes recorded in South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 291.79 million number in 2017.
- What is the lowest population of compulsory school age, both sexes recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 62.74 million number in 1997.
- How does South Asia rank for population of compulsory school age, both sexes?
- South Asia ranks 9th out of 43 groups with data for 2019.
- Is population of compulsory school age, both sexes rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Asia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Population of compulsory school age, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Population of children within the age span that children are legally obliged to attend school.