Italy Primary Completion Rate
Primary completion rate (% of relevant age group) SE.PRM.CMPT.ZS
Italy's primary completion rate was 96.43% in 2025, ranked 77th globally. This represents a 1.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Italy's primary completion rate stood at 96.43% in 2025, a decline of +0.93pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 96.43% by 2025. Italy ranked 77th globally.
Italy’s primary completion rate has fallen from a high of 105.52 % in 2008 to 96.43 % in 2025, placing the country 77th globally and marking the all‑time trough after 25 years of data. The decline from the early‑2000s peak of 101.48 % reflects persistent challenges in retaining pupils through the final year of primary school, despite modest improvements in earlier decades. Compared with peer nations, Italy’s 2025 figure of 96.43 % is slightly below Cyprus (96.51 %) and above Ireland (96.35 %), suggesting a competitive but not leading position among similarly ranked economies. The downward trajectory aligns with broader demographic shifts and budgetary pressures on the education system, which have limited investments in school infrastructure and teacher recruitment. Continued policy focus on early childhood support, targeted funding for at‑risk regions, and reforms to reduce dropout incentives could stabilise the rate and potentially reverse the recent decline.
Data & projection
| Year | Primary Completion Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 96.07% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 96.43% | - | - |
| 2025 | 96.43% | −0.93pp | #77 |
| 2023 | 97.36% | +0.21pp | #56 |
| 2022 | 97.15% | −0.56pp | #65 |
| 2021 | 97.71% | −1.01pp | #60 |
| 2020 | 98.72% | +0.35pp | #44 |
| 2019 | 98.37% | −0.46pp | #53 |
| 2018 | 98.83% | −0.74pp | #45 |
| 2017 | 99.57% | +1.08pp | #35 |
| 2016 | 98.49% | −0.46pp | #52 |
| 2015 | 98.95% | −0.37pp | #46 |
| 2014 | 99.32% | −0.25pp | #38 |
| 2013 | 99.57% | +0.49pp | #35 |
| 2012 | 99.08% | −1.86pp | #46 |
| 2011 | 100.93% | −0.55pp | #29 |
| 2010 | 101.48% | −0.25pp | #23 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Italy matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1986. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw primary completion rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Italy's primary completion rate was 96.43% in 2025. Ranked 77th globally. This represents a 1.0% decrease from the previous year.
Italy's primary completion rate peaked at 105.52% in 2008.
The lowest primary completion rate in Italy was 96.43% in 2025.
Italy ranks 77th globally in primary completion rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.PRM.CMPT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Italy's primary completion rate is projected to reach 96.43% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The primary completion rate of Italy in 2025 was 96.43%. This ranks 77th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_italy_primary-completion-rate,
title = {Italy Primary Completion Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/italy/primary-completion-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}