How many pupils in England miss a lot of school?
18.1% of pupils in England were persistently absent (missing at least one in ten sessions) in 2024-25, against 12.1% in 2020-21. Another 2.4% missed half or more of their school sessions.
Missed at least 10% of sessions, 2024-25. Highest: 22.5% (2021-22).
Missed half or more of sessions, 2024-25. Highest: 2.4% (2024-25).
Absence over time
What’s this?
The share of pupils in England who missed at least one in ten possible sessions (half days) in the school year, for any reason.
What it cannot tell you: The definition of persistent absence changed from 15% to 10% of sessions in 2015-16, so earlier years are not comparable.
What’s this?
The share of pupils in England who missed half or more of their possible sessions in the school year.
What it cannot tell you: A small share of pupils, but each missed a great deal of school.
Year by year
| Period | Pupils persistently absent | Pupils severely absent |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 18.1% | 2.4% |
| 2023-24 | 19.9% | 2.3% |
| 2022-23 | 21.2% | 2.0% |
| 2021-22 | 22.5% | 1.6% |
| 2020-21 | 12.1% | 1.1% |
| 2018-19 | 10.9% | 0.8% |
| 2017-18 | 11.2% | 0.8% |
| 2016-17 | 10.8% | 0.7% |
| 2015-16 | 10.5% | 0.6% |
| 2014-15 | 11.0% | 0.6% |
| 2013-14 | 10.7% | 0.6% |
| 2012-13 | 13.6% | 0.6% |
Questions people ask
What counts as persistent absence?
Missing at least 10% of possible school sessions (half days) in a school year for any reason, including illness. The threshold was 15% before 2015-16, so earlier years are not comparable.
What counts as severe absence?
Missing at least half of possible sessions in the school year.
Has school attendance recovered since the pandemic?
Persistent absence was 18.1% in 2024-25, down from 22.5% at its highest (2021-22). It is still above the 10.5% recorded in 2015-16, so it has not fully returned to the earlier level. Severe absence was 2.4% in 2024-25, higher than in 2013-14 (0.6%).
What does “pupils persistently absent” measure?
The share of pupils in England who missed at least one in ten possible sessions (half days) in the school year, for any reason. It was 18.1% (% of pupils) in 2024-25, up 6.1 points on 2020-21. The highest we have is 22.5% (2021-22) and the lowest 10.5% (2015-16).
What does “pupils severely absent” measure?
The share of pupils in England who missed half or more of their possible sessions in the school year. It was 2.4% (% of pupils) in 2024-25, up 1.3 points on 2020-21. The highest we have is 2.4% (2024-25) and the lowest 0.6% (2013-14).
Sources: Department for Education, Explore education statistics. Updated every night. Each chart has a CSV and a Share button.
See also: GCSE results