GITNUXREPORT 2026

School Absenteeism Statistics

School absenteeism has surged globally since the pandemic, severely harming children's education and future prospects.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Poverty is associated with 2.5 times higher odds of chronic absenteeism in US elementary schools per 2021 study.

Statistic 2

Mental health issues contribute to 25% of school absences among adolescents in Europe, WHO 2022 data.

Statistic 3

Bullying victimization increases absenteeism risk by 40% in Australian students aged 10-15.

Statistic 4

Transportation barriers cause 18% of absences in rural US schools, 2022 GAO report.

Statistic 5

Chronic illness accounts for 35% of extended absences in UK primary schools 2023.

Statistic 6

Family responsibilities like childcare lead to 12% higher absenteeism for low-income girls in India.

Statistic 7

COVID-19 anxiety post-pandemic raised absenteeism by 15% in Canadian youth 2023.

Statistic 8

Homelessness correlates with 50% chronic absenteeism rates in US cities 2022.

Statistic 9

Parental unemployment doubles the likelihood of child absenteeism in Brazil 2022 PNAD.

Statistic 10

Food insecurity increases absence days by 28% in New Zealand Maori students.

Statistic 11

Domestic violence exposure linked to 3x absenteeism in South African children 2022.

Statistic 12

Lack of school uniforms causes 10% of absences in Kenyan primary schools.

Statistic 13

Substance abuse in family raises teen absenteeism by 45% in US per CDC 2022.

Statistic 14

Long commute times over 1 hour increase absence by 22% in urban India schools.

Statistic 15

Teacher shortages lead to 8% higher student absenteeism in Philippines rural areas.

Statistic 16

Screen addiction correlates with 30% more absences in Japanese middle schools 2022.

Statistic 17

Unsafe school routes cause 15% truancy in Mexican urban youth.

Statistic 18

Parental mental health issues account for 20% of child absences in Sweden.

Statistic 19

Overcrowded housing linked to 25% higher absenteeism in Pakistan slums.

Statistic 20

Early marriage raises female absenteeism by 60% in rural Egypt.

Statistic 21

Heatwaves increase summer-term absences by 18% in Australian schools.

Statistic 22

Lack of menstrual hygiene products causes 14% absence for girls in Nigeria.

Statistic 23

Peer pressure for gang involvement boosts absenteeism 35% in Colombian cities.

Statistic 24

Chronic absenteeism reduces math scores by 0.72 standard deviations in US 3rd graders per 2021 study.

Statistic 25

Students missing 10% of school days are 2x more likely to drop out in England.

Statistic 26

High absenteeism linked to 15% lower reading proficiency in Australian NAPLAN tests 2023.

Statistic 27

Chronic absentees in South Africa score 20% lower on matric exams.

Statistic 28

In New Zealand, 20+ absence days correlate with 25% higher suspension rates.

Statistic 29

Absenteeism causes 1.5 grade level lag in Indian primary math per ASER 2022.

Statistic 30

Canadian students with high absence have 30% lower graduation rates.

Statistic 31

Brazilian chronic absentees 3x more likely to repeat grades.

Statistic 32

UK persistent absentees show 18% lower GCSE attainment.

Statistic 33

Philippines high absentees have 40% dropout risk by secondary.

Statistic 34

German students absent 10+ days score 12% lower in PISA math.

Statistic 35

Kenyan absentees lag 1.2 years in literacy per Uwezo.

Statistic 36

French truants 2.5x more likely to enter unemployment post-school.

Statistic 37

Mexican chronic absence reduces high school completion by 22%.

Statistic 38

Japanese absentees have 35% higher mental health disorder rates later.

Statistic 39

Nigerian high absentees 50% less likely to pass WAEC exams.

Statistic 40

Swedish absence over 10% links to 15% income drop in adulthood.

Statistic 41

Argentine absentees score 25% lower in national assessments.

Statistic 42

Irish persistent absentees 28% more likely to not complete Leaving Cert.

Statistic 43

California chronic absentees 4x dropout risk.

Statistic 44

Chile high absence students lag 0.8 SD in SIMCE scores.

Statistic 45

Turkish absentees have 20% lower PISA performance.

Statistic 46

Pakistani chronic absence leads to 30% lower learning outcomes ASER.

Statistic 47

Finnish high absentees 2x special ed placement risk.

Statistic 48

Egyptian absentees score 18% lower in TIMSS.

Statistic 49

Dutch truancy correlates with 25% higher crime rates young adulthood.

Statistic 50

Colombian absentees 35% less likely to graduate secondary.

Statistic 51

Vietnamese high absence reduces university entry by 15%.

Statistic 52

Black students in US have 45% higher chronic absenteeism than white peers 2022.

Statistic 53

Low-income students 3x more likely to be chronically absent in England 2023.

Statistic 54

Indigenous Australian children have 12% higher absence rates than non-Indigenous.

Statistic 55

Rural South African students absent 20% more than urban.

Statistic 56

Maori students in NZ 25% higher chronic absence than Pasifika.

Statistic 57

Girls in India rural areas absent 8% more due to chores per ASER.

Statistic 58

Hispanic students in Canada have 18% higher absence than average 2022.

Statistic 59

Low SES Brazilian students 2.8x chronic absence rate.

Statistic 60

Boys in UK primary schools absent 10% more post-COVID than girls.

Statistic 61

Children with disabilities in Philippines 30% higher absenteeism.

Statistic 62

Immigrant students in Germany absent 15% more than natives.

Statistic 63

Urban poor in Kenya 22% chronic absence vs 10% wealthy.

Statistic 64

Female students in France truancy 12% higher in low-income suburbs.

Statistic 65

Indigenous Mexican students 28% higher absence rural areas.

Statistic 66

NEET youth in Japan more absent males 55% vs females.

Statistic 67

Northern Nigeria girls 40% absenteeism vs 15% boys.

Statistic 68

Refugee children in Sweden 35% higher absence than locals.

Statistic 69

Low-income Argentine students 25% more absent urban slums.

Statistic 70

Traveller community in Ireland 50% chronic absence rate.

Statistic 71

Pacific Islander US students 32% chronic absence vs Asian 10%.

Statistic 72

Rural Chilean Mapuche students absent 18% more.

Statistic 73

Low SES Turkish girls 20% higher absence.

Statistic 74

Urban slum kids Pakistan 30% absence vs affluent 5%.

Statistic 75

Sami children Finland 15% higher absence north regions.

Statistic 76

Bedouin girls Egypt 45% absenteeism desert areas.

Statistic 77

Antillean youth Netherlands 28% higher truancy.

Statistic 78

Afro-Colombian students 35% chronic absence Pacific coast.

Statistic 79

Hmong girls Vietnam 22% more absent highlands.

Statistic 80

Mentoring programs reduced absenteeism by 17% in US randomized trial 2021.

Statistic 81

Daily attendance incentives cut absence by 12% in UK trials 2023.

Statistic 82

Home visits by schools lowered chronic absenteeism 25% Australia indigenous.

Statistic 83

Free breakfast programs reduced absence 8.5% South Africa primary.

Statistic 84

Text reminders to parents decreased absence 15% New Zealand 2022.

Statistic 85

Conditional cash transfers cut absenteeism 20% India rural girls.

Statistic 86

Virtual check-ins post-COVID reduced absence 18% Canada 2023.

Statistic 87

Bus provision lowered rural absence 22% Brazil 2022.

Statistic 88

Family engagement workshops cut UK absence 14% low SES.

Statistic 89

Health screenings reduced illness absence 30% Philippines schools.

Statistic 90

Peer buddy systems lowered truancy 19% Germany migrant youth.

Statistic 91

Community liaisons cut Kenyan urban absence 16%.

Statistic 92

Flexible scheduling reduced absence 21% France working families.

Statistic 93

Uniform subsidies lowered absence 13% Mexico poor districts.

Statistic 94

Mental health counselors cut Japanese absence 25%.

Statistic 95

Village education committees reduced Nigeria absence 17%.

Statistic 96

Truancy courts lowered Swedish repeat absence 28%.

Statistic 97

After-school clubs cut Argentine urban truancy 15%.

Statistic 98

Attendance officers reduced Irish rates 20% disadvantaged.

Statistic 99

Chronic absence teams lowered California absence 23%.

Statistic 100

Data dashboards enabled Chile schools to cut 12% absence.

Statistic 101

SMS alerts reduced Turkish rural absence 18%.

Statistic 102

Girls' stipend programs cut Pakistan absence 24%.

Statistic 103

Trauma-informed training lowered Finnish absence 16%.

Statistic 104

Mobile clinics cut Egyptian illness absence 19%.

Statistic 105

Restorative practices reduced Dutch truancy 22%.

Statistic 106

Family support hubs lowered Colombian absence 21%.

Statistic 107

Hybrid learning options cut Vietnam post-flood absence 14%.

Statistic 108

In the United States, chronic absenteeism rates reached 28.5% of students in public schools during the 2021-22 school year, up from 15% pre-pandemic.

Statistic 109

Globally, 258 million children were out of school in 2023, with absenteeism contributing to 20% of primary school dropouts according to UNESCO data.

Statistic 110

In England, persistent absence affected 22.3% of pupils in state-funded schools in 2022/23, equating to over 1.6 million children missing 10% or more sessions.

Statistic 111

Australia's national average daily school absence rate was 6.3% in Term 3 of 2023, with secondary schools at 8.1%.

Statistic 112

In South Africa, absenteeism rates averaged 15% in public primary schools in 2022, with rural areas seeing up to 25%.

Statistic 113

New Zealand reported 18.1% of students as chronically absent (over 20 days) in 2023 Term 4.

Statistic 114

In India, 14% of upper primary students were absent on an average school day in 2018 ASER report.

Statistic 115

Canada's secondary school absenteeism rate was 12.5% daily average in 2022-23 across provinces.

Statistic 116

In Brazil, 11.7% of students aged 6-14 missed more than 30% of school days in 2022 PNAD data.

Statistic 117

Scotland's school absence rate hit 13.8% in 2022/23, highest since records began.

Statistic 118

In the Philippines, 20% of elementary students had absenteeism rates over 20% in SY 2022-23.

Statistic 119

Germany's school absenteeism due to illness averaged 8.2 days per student in 2022.

Statistic 120

In Kenya, 19% of primary school children were absent on a typical day in 2022 Uwezo report.

Statistic 121

France reported 10.5% unauthorized absences in secondary schools in 2022/23.

Statistic 122

In Mexico, 16% of students missed 25+ days in 2022-23 school year per INEGI.

Statistic 123

Japan's average school absence days per student rose to 12.5 in 2022 due to mental health.

Statistic 124

In Nigeria, 28% of primary pupils absent daily per 2022 survey.

Statistic 125

Sweden's compulsory school absence rate was 7.8% in 2022.

Statistic 126

In Argentina, chronic absenteeism affected 22% of secondary students in 2023.

Statistic 127

Ireland saw 15.2% persistent absentees in post-primary schools 2021/22.

Statistic 128

In the US state of California, absenteeism rate was 25.3% in 2022-23.

Statistic 129

UK's overall absence rate was 7.6% in 2022/23, double pre-COVID levels.

Statistic 130

In Chile, 14.5% of students had high absenteeism in 2022 SIMCE data.

Statistic 131

Turkey's primary school absence rate averaged 9.2% daily in 2022.

Statistic 132

In Pakistan, 23% of children aged 5-16 out of school or absent frequently per 2022 ASER.

Statistic 133

Finland reported 5.2% chronic absence rate in basic education 2022.

Statistic 134

In Egypt, 17% absenteeism in public primary schools 2022.

Statistic 135

Netherlands average absence 6.8% in secondary schools 2022/23.

Statistic 136

In Colombia, 18.3% students missed 20+ days in 2022 ICFES data.

Statistic 137

Vietnam's secondary absence rate 11% average daily 2022.

1/137

Sources

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Once considered a local concern, school absenteeism has exploded into a global crisis that sees millions of children missing critical learning time, as evidenced by staggering rates like 28.5% in the US, over 1.6 million persistently absent pupils in England, and 20% of primary dropouts worldwide being linked to this issue.

Key Takeaways

In the United States, chronic absenteeism rates reached 28.5% of students in public schools during the 2021-22 school year, up from 15% pre-pandemic.
Globally, 258 million children were out of school in 2023, with absenteeism contributing to 20% of primary school dropouts according to UNESCO data.
In England, persistent absence affected 22.3% of pupils in state-funded schools in 2022/23, equating to over 1.6 million children missing 10% or more sessions.
Poverty is associated with 2.5 times higher odds of chronic absenteeism in US elementary schools per 2021 study.
Mental health issues contribute to 25% of school absences among adolescents in Europe, WHO 2022 data.
Bullying victimization increases absenteeism risk by 40% in Australian students aged 10-15.
Chronic absenteeism reduces math scores by 0.72 standard deviations in US 3rd graders per 2021 study.
Students missing 10% of school days are 2x more likely to drop out in England.
High absenteeism linked to 15% lower reading proficiency in Australian NAPLAN tests 2023.
Black students in US have 45% higher chronic absenteeism than white peers 2022.
Low-income students 3x more likely to be chronically absent in England 2023.
Indigenous Australian children have 12% higher absence rates than non-Indigenous.
Mentoring programs reduced absenteeism by 17% in US randomized trial 2021.
Daily attendance incentives cut absence by 12% in UK trials 2023.
Home visits by schools lowered chronic absenteeism 25% Australia indigenous.

School absenteeism has surged globally since the pandemic, severely harming children's education and future prospects.

Causes and Factors

Poverty is associated with 2.5 times higher odds of chronic absenteeism in US elementary schools per 2021 study.
Mental health issues contribute to 25% of school absences among adolescents in Europe, WHO 2022 data.
Bullying victimization increases absenteeism risk by 40% in Australian students aged 10-15.
Transportation barriers cause 18% of absences in rural US schools, 2022 GAO report.
Chronic illness accounts for 35% of extended absences in UK primary schools 2023.
Family responsibilities like childcare lead to 12% higher absenteeism for low-income girls in India.
COVID-19 anxiety post-pandemic raised absenteeism by 15% in Canadian youth 2023.
Homelessness correlates with 50% chronic absenteeism rates in US cities 2022.
Parental unemployment doubles the likelihood of child absenteeism in Brazil 2022 PNAD.
Food insecurity increases absence days by 28% in New Zealand Maori students.
Domestic violence exposure linked to 3x absenteeism in South African children 2022.
Lack of school uniforms causes 10% of absences in Kenyan primary schools.
Substance abuse in family raises teen absenteeism by 45% in US per CDC 2022.
Long commute times over 1 hour increase absence by 22% in urban India schools.
Teacher shortages lead to 8% higher student absenteeism in Philippines rural areas.
Screen addiction correlates with 30% more absences in Japanese middle schools 2022.
Unsafe school routes cause 15% truancy in Mexican urban youth.
Parental mental health issues account for 20% of child absences in Sweden.
Overcrowded housing linked to 25% higher absenteeism in Pakistan slums.
Early marriage raises female absenteeism by 60% in rural Egypt.
Heatwaves increase summer-term absences by 18% in Australian schools.
Lack of menstrual hygiene products causes 14% absence for girls in Nigeria.
Peer pressure for gang involvement boosts absenteeism 35% in Colombian cities.

Causes and Factors Interpretation

These statistics paint a stark, interconnected portrait of absenteeism, proving it is rarely a simple matter of truancy but rather a clear referendum on the systemic failures in our societies—from poverty and violence to mental health and infrastructure—that children are forced to navigate just to get to school.

Consequences and Impacts

Chronic absenteeism reduces math scores by 0.72 standard deviations in US 3rd graders per 2021 study.
Students missing 10% of school days are 2x more likely to drop out in England.
High absenteeism linked to 15% lower reading proficiency in Australian NAPLAN tests 2023.
Chronic absentees in South Africa score 20% lower on matric exams.
In New Zealand, 20+ absence days correlate with 25% higher suspension rates.
Absenteeism causes 1.5 grade level lag in Indian primary math per ASER 2022.
Canadian students with high absence have 30% lower graduation rates.
Brazilian chronic absentees 3x more likely to repeat grades.
UK persistent absentees show 18% lower GCSE attainment.
Philippines high absentees have 40% dropout risk by secondary.
German students absent 10+ days score 12% lower in PISA math.
Kenyan absentees lag 1.2 years in literacy per Uwezo.
French truants 2.5x more likely to enter unemployment post-school.
Mexican chronic absence reduces high school completion by 22%.
Japanese absentees have 35% higher mental health disorder rates later.
Nigerian high absentees 50% less likely to pass WAEC exams.
Swedish absence over 10% links to 15% income drop in adulthood.
Argentine absentees score 25% lower in national assessments.
Irish persistent absentees 28% more likely to not complete Leaving Cert.
California chronic absentees 4x dropout risk.
Chile high absence students lag 0.8 SD in SIMCE scores.
Turkish absentees have 20% lower PISA performance.
Pakistani chronic absence leads to 30% lower learning outcomes ASER.
Finnish high absentees 2x special ed placement risk.
Egyptian absentees score 18% lower in TIMSS.
Dutch truancy correlates with 25% higher crime rates young adulthood.
Colombian absentees 35% less likely to graduate secondary.
Vietnamese high absence reduces university entry by 15%.

Consequences and Impacts Interpretation

Across continents and education systems, the data is grimly unanimous: when students aren't there, their future isn't either.

Demographics and Disparities

Black students in US have 45% higher chronic absenteeism than white peers 2022.
Low-income students 3x more likely to be chronically absent in England 2023.
Indigenous Australian children have 12% higher absence rates than non-Indigenous.
Rural South African students absent 20% more than urban.
Maori students in NZ 25% higher chronic absence than Pasifika.
Girls in India rural areas absent 8% more due to chores per ASER.
Hispanic students in Canada have 18% higher absence than average 2022.
Low SES Brazilian students 2.8x chronic absence rate.
Boys in UK primary schools absent 10% more post-COVID than girls.
Children with disabilities in Philippines 30% higher absenteeism.
Immigrant students in Germany absent 15% more than natives.
Urban poor in Kenya 22% chronic absence vs 10% wealthy.
Female students in France truancy 12% higher in low-income suburbs.
Indigenous Mexican students 28% higher absence rural areas.
NEET youth in Japan more absent males 55% vs females.
Northern Nigeria girls 40% absenteeism vs 15% boys.
Refugee children in Sweden 35% higher absence than locals.
Low-income Argentine students 25% more absent urban slums.
Traveller community in Ireland 50% chronic absence rate.
Pacific Islander US students 32% chronic absence vs Asian 10%.
Rural Chilean Mapuche students absent 18% more.
Low SES Turkish girls 20% higher absence.
Urban slum kids Pakistan 30% absence vs affluent 5%.
Sami children Finland 15% higher absence north regions.
Bedouin girls Egypt 45% absenteeism desert areas.
Antillean youth Netherlands 28% higher truancy.
Afro-Colombian students 35% chronic absence Pacific coast.
Hmong girls Vietnam 22% more absent highlands.

Demographics and Disparities Interpretation

Behind every one of these bleak statistics lies the same grim truth: systemic inequality is stealing days from the school calendar and futures from the most marginalized children, whether the barrier is poverty, geography, disability, racism, or simply being born a girl.

Interventions and Trends

Mentoring programs reduced absenteeism by 17% in US randomized trial 2021.
Daily attendance incentives cut absence by 12% in UK trials 2023.
Home visits by schools lowered chronic absenteeism 25% Australia indigenous.
Free breakfast programs reduced absence 8.5% South Africa primary.
Text reminders to parents decreased absence 15% New Zealand 2022.
Conditional cash transfers cut absenteeism 20% India rural girls.
Virtual check-ins post-COVID reduced absence 18% Canada 2023.
Bus provision lowered rural absence 22% Brazil 2022.
Family engagement workshops cut UK absence 14% low SES.
Health screenings reduced illness absence 30% Philippines schools.
Peer buddy systems lowered truancy 19% Germany migrant youth.
Community liaisons cut Kenyan urban absence 16%.
Flexible scheduling reduced absence 21% France working families.
Uniform subsidies lowered absence 13% Mexico poor districts.
Mental health counselors cut Japanese absence 25%.
Village education committees reduced Nigeria absence 17%.
Truancy courts lowered Swedish repeat absence 28%.
After-school clubs cut Argentine urban truancy 15%.
Attendance officers reduced Irish rates 20% disadvantaged.
Chronic absence teams lowered California absence 23%.
Data dashboards enabled Chile schools to cut 12% absence.
SMS alerts reduced Turkish rural absence 18%.
Girls' stipend programs cut Pakistan absence 24%.
Trauma-informed training lowered Finnish absence 16%.
Mobile clinics cut Egyptian illness absence 19%.
Restorative practices reduced Dutch truancy 22%.
Family support hubs lowered Colombian absence 21%.
Hybrid learning options cut Vietnam post-flood absence 14%.

Interventions and Trends Interpretation

While absenteeism is a stubbornly universal problem, these global statistics prove that the solution is not a one-size-fits-all policy, but rather a clear-eyed diagnosis of whether a student is missing school because of a missed bus, a missed meal, a missed text, or a missed sense of belonging.

Prevalence and Rates

In the United States, chronic absenteeism rates reached 28.5% of students in public schools during the 2021-22 school year, up from 15% pre-pandemic.
Globally, 258 million children were out of school in 2023, with absenteeism contributing to 20% of primary school dropouts according to UNESCO data.
In England, persistent absence affected 22.3% of pupils in state-funded schools in 2022/23, equating to over 1.6 million children missing 10% or more sessions.
Australia's national average daily school absence rate was 6.3% in Term 3 of 2023, with secondary schools at 8.1%.
In South Africa, absenteeism rates averaged 15% in public primary schools in 2022, with rural areas seeing up to 25%.
New Zealand reported 18.1% of students as chronically absent (over 20 days) in 2023 Term 4.
In India, 14% of upper primary students were absent on an average school day in 2018 ASER report.
Canada's secondary school absenteeism rate was 12.5% daily average in 2022-23 across provinces.
In Brazil, 11.7% of students aged 6-14 missed more than 30% of school days in 2022 PNAD data.
Scotland's school absence rate hit 13.8% in 2022/23, highest since records began.
In the Philippines, 20% of elementary students had absenteeism rates over 20% in SY 2022-23.
Germany's school absenteeism due to illness averaged 8.2 days per student in 2022.
In Kenya, 19% of primary school children were absent on a typical day in 2022 Uwezo report.
France reported 10.5% unauthorized absences in secondary schools in 2022/23.
In Mexico, 16% of students missed 25+ days in 2022-23 school year per INEGI.
Japan's average school absence days per student rose to 12.5 in 2022 due to mental health.
In Nigeria, 28% of primary pupils absent daily per 2022 survey.
Sweden's compulsory school absence rate was 7.8% in 2022.
In Argentina, chronic absenteeism affected 22% of secondary students in 2023.
Ireland saw 15.2% persistent absentees in post-primary schools 2021/22.
In the US state of California, absenteeism rate was 25.3% in 2022-23.
UK's overall absence rate was 7.6% in 2022/23, double pre-COVID levels.
In Chile, 14.5% of students had high absenteeism in 2022 SIMCE data.
Turkey's primary school absence rate averaged 9.2% daily in 2022.
In Pakistan, 23% of children aged 5-16 out of school or absent frequently per 2022 ASER.
Finland reported 5.2% chronic absence rate in basic education 2022.
In Egypt, 17% absenteeism in public primary schools 2022.
Netherlands average absence 6.8% in secondary schools 2022/23.
In Colombia, 18.3% students missed 20+ days in 2022 ICFES data.
Vietnam's secondary absence rate 11% average daily 2022.

Prevalence and Rates Interpretation

Our global attendance report card reads like a collective sigh, showing that while the reasons for skipping class may vary by continent, the alarming trend of empty desks has become a disturbingly common lesson plan.

Sources & References

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