To measure exclusion from education, and identify the size of the population in the official age range for the given level of education who are not enrolled in school in order that they can be better targeted and appropriate policies can be put in place to ensure they have access to education.

Enrolment by single year of age in each level of education, population estimates by single year of age and data on the structure (entrance age and duration) of each level of education.

By age or age-group and sex (administrative data); by age or age-group and sex, location, and socio-economic status (household surveys) and others as available.

Number of children and young people in the official age range for the given level of education who are not enrolled in pre-primary, primary, secondary or higher levels of education.

The number of students of the official age for the given level of education enrolled in pre-primary, primary, secondary or higher levels of education is subtracted from the total population of the same age. For primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education, the official age groups for the respective level of education are used in the indicator calculation. For pre-primary education, the indicator is calculated for children aged one year before the official age of entry into primary education.

Accurate data on school age population by single year of age, on the structure of each level of education, and on enrolment by single year of age and by level of education from all types of educational institutions (public and private), are essential for calculating this indicator. The UIS sets standards, develops questionnaires and quality control protocols for country data reporting, and maintains the global database on the structure of education and enrolment data. The United Nations Population Division (UNPD) produces and maintains population data. National population data that comply with UIS quality standards can also be used.

Interpretations

The larger the number of out-of-school children and adolescents, the greater the need to focus on improving access to education. Some children have never been in school or may eventually enrol as late entrants. Other children may have initially enrolled but dropped out before reaching the intended age of completion of the given level. When disaggregated by sex, location and other characteristics, this indicator can identify excluded population groups.

Limitations

Inconsistencies between enrolment and population data from different sources may result in inaccurate estimates of out-of-school children and adolescents. Data from household surveys conducted late in the school year where ages are recorded at the enumeration date may result in over-estimates.

For primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education, the official age groups for the respective level of education are used in the indicator calculation. The out-of-school number for pre-primary education is calculated for children aged one year before the official age of entry into primary education.