This data may be out of date — the source may have published a newer figure.
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Historical trend
Trend summary
Overall school absence in England was 6.5% of possible sessions in 2023–24, down from 7.5% in 2022–23 but still above pre-pandemic levels.
Trend
- Overall absence was around 4.9% in 2018–19; it rose to 6.9% in 2021–22 and peaked at 7.5% in 2022–23 before falling to 6.5% in 2023–24.
- Persistent absence (missing 10% or more of sessions) affected 21.2% of pupils in 2023–24, also elevated above pre-pandemic levels.
- Illness is the most common authorised absence reason; unauthorised absence (including unknown reasons) has risen since 2019.
Context
- DfE publishes school absence statistics annually for state-funded schools in England; they cover autumn, spring, and summer terms.
- Absence figures for 2019–20 and 2020–21 are not comparable with other years owing to partial school closures during COVID-19.
Commentary contains no editorial judgement — describes direction, magnitude, and official projections only.
About this indicator
- Source
- Department for Education
- Update frequency
- Annual
- Last updated
- 20 March 2025 Data may be out of date
- Licence
- OGL v3
- Direction
- ↓ Falling
Statistics
- Latest
- 6.5 %
- Period high
- 7.5 %
- Period low
- 6.5 %
- Period average
- 7.0 %