Elementary School Pupils at a Record-Low 5.654 Million, University Students at a Record-High 3.001 Million: Preliminary School Basic Survey (MEXT)

Explanation

On August 26, 2026, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) released preliminary figures from the FY2026 (Reiwa 8) School Basic Survey (School Basic Statistics). The survey compiles the number of schools, classes, enrolled students, and teaching and administrative staff as of May 1, 2026; finalized figures will be released in December of the same year.

The number of elementary school pupils was 5.654 million, down 158,000 from the previous year, a record low. The number of junior high school students was 3.06 million, down 45,000 from the previous year, also a record low. Meanwhile, the number of children at integrated centers for early childhood education and care was 882,000, up 6,000 from the previous year, a record high. The number of high school (correspondence course) students was also up, at 312,000, an increase of 7,000 from the previous year, renewing the record high.

The number of university students was 3.001 million, up 28,000 from the previous year, renewing the record high. Among graduate students, the number of doctoral students was 82,000, up 2,600 from the previous year, also a record high. The number of female undergraduate students was 1.237 million, and the proportion of women among undergraduates reached 46.4%, up 0.3 percentage points from the previous year, likewise a record high.