⌘K

China, Hong Kong SAR Education Statistics (2026)

1971

2024

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics · Updated May 2026

1971

2024

What to know

In Hong Kong, tertiary enrollment in 2024 was 120%, indicating very high participation. The out-of-school rate in 2024 was 1.4%, with nearly all children in school. Education spending in 2024 was 3.8% of GDP, below the 4% UNESCO recommendation. The pupil-teacher ratio in 2024 was 12:1, pointing to small class sizes.

Key statistics for 2024

Tertiary Enrollment

120%

Out of School (Primary)

1.4%

Education Spending

3.8% GDP

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

12:1

Key terms

Literacy rate: — Percentage of population who can read and write a short, simple statement about everyday life.
Gross enrollment ratio: — Total enrollment in a level of education, regardless of age, expressed as a percentage of the eligible school-age population.
Completion rate: — Percentage of a cohort of children who complete a given level of education.
Out-of-school rate: — Percentage of children of official school age who are not enrolled in school.
Pupil-teacher ratio: — Average number of pupils per teacher at a given level of education.
Educational attainment: — Highest level of education completed by the population aged 25 and over.

Higher Education

Tertiary enrollment was very high, at 120%.

Educational Attainment

Among adults, 66% had completed at least upper-secondary education.

Out of School

The primary out-of-school rate was 1.4%, low.

Access & Progression

Compulsory education ran 9 years, and the primary intake ratio was 92%.

Learning Outcomes

Teacher Quality

Primary schools had a 12:1 pupil-teacher ratio, leaving room for individual attention.

Government Investment

Education spending was 3.8% of GDP, below the 4% UNESCO recommendation.

The bottom line

In Hong Kong, 66% of adults had completed at least upper-secondary education. Nearly all children attended school. Tertiary enrollment was very high, at 120%.