Number of pupils in primary school in Norway 2012-2022

Primary schools are compulsory in Norway for everyone between six and 16 years, and education is free in public schools. During the past decade, the number of pupils in primary schools increased between 2011 and 2018, before falling slightly since. In 2022 however, there were nearly 637,000 pupils on primary school in Norway.

Public and private schools

Despite the growing number of pupils, the number of primary schools declined over the last 10 years, reaching 1,527 schools in 2021. At the same time, however, both the number of private schools and pupils admitted to private schools rose significantly.

The Norwegian education system

The education system in Norway is divided into three stages: Primary school, barneskole, lower secondary school, ungdomsskole, and upper secondary school, videregående skole. While primary schools account for the most institutions, it is not uncommon to find combined primary and lower secondary schools. Both primary and lower secondary school is mandatory for Norwegian children, but upper secondary school is optional. Over the last years, the number of students in upper secondary schools remained around 200,000.