Japan: education

How many children are in school in Japan?

Japan's elementary schools had 5,654,461 pupils in May 2026, 157,914 fewer than a year earlier and the lowest on record, according to MEXT's preliminary School Basic Survey results of 26 August 2026. Junior high schools had 3,060,031 pupils, also a record low, and high schools 2,845,117.

The numbers follow the fall in births. Pupils in special needs schools and in combined compulsory schools reached record highs. Final figures are due in December 2026.

Official sources: MEXT: School Basic Survey 2026, preliminary (PDF)

How many university students are there in Japan?

Japan's universities had 3,000,542 students in May 2026, 28,130 more than a year earlier and the most on record, according to MEXT's preliminary School Basic Survey results. Undergraduates numbered 2,664,194 and graduate students 284,802, of whom about 82,000 were doctoral students.

There are 816 universities, 627 of them private. Junior colleges had about 66,000 students, 5,500 fewer than a year earlier.

Official sources: MEXT: School Basic Survey 2026, preliminary (PDF)

What share of Japanese university students are women?

Women made up 46.4% of undergraduate students in May 2026, a record high and 0.3 points up on a year earlier, according to MEXT's preliminary School Basic Survey results. There were 1,237,086 female undergraduates. Among graduate students the share was 33.2%.

Among university teaching staff, 28.7% were women, also a record. In schools, women made up 62.8% of elementary teachers, 45.4% of junior high teachers and 34.4% of high school teachers.

Official sources: MEXT: School Basic Survey 2026, preliminary (PDF)

How many children in Japan do not attend school?

353,970 elementary and junior high school pupils were counted as not attending school (futoko) in fiscal 2024, the most on record, according to MEXT's survey summary on student guidance issues. There were 137,704 in elementary schools and 216,266 in junior high schools.

Futoko is one category of long-term absence (30 days or more in a year), counted separately from absence because of illness. The rate of increase slowed sharply, to 0.1% in junior high schools, and the number of new cases fell.

Official sources: MEXT: survey on non-attendance and student issues FY2024 (PDF)

How much does Japan spend on education?

Public spending on education in Japan was 3.3% of GDP in 2021, according to the World Bank's government expenditure on education indicator, which draws on UNESCO data. It was 3.2% in 2019.

The indicator covers spending by central and local governments on all levels of education. It does not include what families pay themselves, such as private school fees. MEXT publishes its own budget figures each year.

Official sources: World Bank: government expenditure on education, Japan

How many teenagers in Japan are in school?

In 2023, gross secondary school enrolment in Japan was 101.5%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2013 was 2021, at 101.7%; its low point was 2017, at 100.3%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 94.0%, and Japan placed 5th highest of 22. Of 138 countries with 2023 data, 46th highest.

What is university enrolment in Japan?

In 2023, gross tertiary enrolment in Japan was 64.5%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 44.2%, and Japan placed 7th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 46th of 120.

What is Japan's education spending?

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, government spending on education in Japan was 3.3% of GDP in 2021. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.1% of GDP (2018) to 3.6% of GDP (2011). It is 16th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 4.4% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 111th of 158.

What is the pupil-teacher ratio in Japan?

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the number of primary pupils per teacher in Japan was 16 in 2017. East Asia & Pacific median: 18; Japan is 14th highest of 18. Of 130 countries with 2017 data, 80th highest.