Education in London, United Kingdom: official figures

71% of pupils finishing primary school in London met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25, the highest result of 9 English regions (England 63%).

Pupils meeting expected standard at KS2 (reading, writing, maths)

71%

2024/25

What percentage pass GCSE English and maths in London?

By age 19, 77.6% of young people from London had passed GCSEs (or equivalent) in both English and maths in 2024/25, compared with 73.2% across England; that ranks 1st of 9.

Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copy

How qualified are adults in London?

74.9% of working-age adults (16 to 64) in London held a Level 3 qualification (A level or equivalent) or higher in 2023, while 5.2% had no qualifications at all (the highest Level 3 rate of 9 regions; England 67.4%).

Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copy

How ready are children for school in London?

79.4% of five-year-olds in London reached the expected level in communication and language at the end of reception in 2024/25 (England 79.5%).

Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copy

How many pupils miss school in London?

17.5% of pupils in state-funded schools in London were persistently absent, missing at least 10% of sessions, in 2024/25 (3rd lowest rate of 9 regions); among pupils on free school meals the rate was 27.6%.

Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copy

How many apprenticeships are there in London?

London recorded 643 apprenticeship starts and 5,171 adult further-education learners per 100,000 people in 2024/25 (England 959 and 5,174).

Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copy

How London compares with other region of Englands

Pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at key stage 2 (2024/25)

London ranks 1 of 9, highest first. The 9 regions of England only; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are compared on their own pages.

Rank	Region	Pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at key stage 2
1	London	71%
2	North East	63%
3	West Midlands	62%
4	South East	62%
5	North West	61%
6	Yorkshire and the Humber	61%
7	East Midlands	61%

Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copy

GCSE English and maths by age 19 (2024/25)

London ranks 1 of 9, highest first. The 9 regions of England only; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are compared on their own pages.

Rank	Region	GCSE English and maths by age 19
1	London	77.6%
2	South East	75.2%
3	East of England	73.9%
4	South West	73.4%
5	East Midlands	71.6%
6	North West	71.1%
7	Yorkshire and the Humber	70.8%

Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copy

Adults 16 to 64 with Level 3 or higher qualifications (2023)

London ranks 1 of 9, highest first. The 9 regions of England only; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are compared on their own pages.

Rank	Region	Adults 16 to 64 with Level 3 or higher qualifications
1	London	74.9%
2	South East	70.2%
3	South West	68.2%
4	North West	65.8%
5	Yorkshire and the Humber	64.8%
6	East of England	64.7%
7	West Midlands	63.6%

Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copy

Pupils persistently absent (2024/25)

London ranks 7 of 9, highest first. The 9 regions of England only; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are compared on their own pages.

Rank	Region	Pupils persistently absent
3	West Midlands	18.9%
4	South West	18.3%
5	North West	18.3%
6	South East	17.8%
7	London	17.5%
8	East of England	17.5%
9	East Midlands	17.3%

Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copy

Adults aged 16 to 64 with Level 3 or higher qualifications (%) (2023)

London ranks 1 of 12, highest first.

Rank	Region	Adults aged 16 to 64 with Level 3 or higher qualifications (%)
1	London	74.9%
2	Scotland	73.7%
3	South East	70.2%
4	South West	68.2%
5	North West	65.8%
6	Yorkshire and the Humber	64.8%
7	East of England	64.7%

Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copy

Adults aged 16 to 64 with no qualifications (%) (2023)

London ranks 10 of 12, highest first.

Rank	Region	Adults aged 16 to 64 with no qualifications (%)
6	Yorkshire and the Humber	7.6%
7	West Midlands	7.3%
8	North West	6.7%
9	East of England	5.3%
10	London	5.2%
11	South East	5.1%
12	South West	5.1%

Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copy

Public spending on education per head (£) (2024-25)

London ranks 3 of 12, highest first. Identifiable public expenditure on education, Country and Regional Analysis

Rank	Region	Public spending on education per head (£)
1	Scotland	£2,129
2	Northern Ireland	£2,111
3	London	£1,896
4	Wales	£1,850
5	West Midlands	£1,815
6	North East	£1,766
7	Yorkshire and the Humber	£1,737

Source: HM Treasury · saved copy

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Sources

Office for National Statistics: Explore Local Statistics: all datasets (116 indicators for UK local areas, regions and nations), spreadsheet generated 22 October 2026, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ae2f3a7b3960…)

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