Is United States's Compulsory education, duration (years) rising or falling?

United States's Compulsory education, duration (years) rose 0.0% from 2024 to 2025.

How does United States rank globally on Compulsory education, duration (years)?

In 2025, United States ranked #43 out of 197 countries reporting Compulsory education, duration (years).

How does United States's Compulsory education, duration (years) compare to the world average?

The global average for Compulsory education, duration (years) in 2025 was 10.04, so United States is above the world average. Within North America, it ranks #2 of 3.

United States: Compulsory education, duration (years)

Name: United States: Compulsory education, duration (years)
Creator: World Bank
License: https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/public-licenses#cc-by

In 2025, United States's Compulsory education, duration (years) was 12.00.

That's up 0.0% from 2024, the highest value since 2024.

The global average for this indicator in 2025 was 10.04 . United States ranks #43 globally out of 197 reporting countries. Within North America, it ranks #2 of 3.

Source: World Bank Open Data (SE.COM.DURS) • Data as of 2025

Trend (2006–2025)

Highlights

Peak: 12.00; 2006
Trough: 12.00; 2006
1-year change: +0.0%
5-year change: +0.0%; +0.0% / yr
10-year change: +0.0%; +0.0% / yr

Historical Data — Last 10 Years

Year	Compulsory education, duration (years)
2025	12.0000
2024	12.0000
2023	12.0000
2022	12.0000
2021	12.0000
2020	12.0000
2019	12.0000
2018	12.0000
2017	12.0000
2016	12.0000

About Compulsory education, duration (years)

Duration of compulsory education is the number of years that children are legally obliged to attend school.

Indicator code: SE.COM.DURS • Category: Education

Frequently asked questions

What was United States's Compulsory education, duration (years) in 2025?: In 2025, United States's Compulsory education, duration (years) was 12.00, according to World Bank Open Data.
Is United States's Compulsory education, duration (years) rising or falling?: United States's Compulsory education, duration (years) rose 0.0% from 2024 to 2025.
How does United States rank globally on Compulsory education, duration (years)?: In 2025, United States ranked #43 out of 197 countries reporting Compulsory education, duration (years).
How does United States's Compulsory education, duration (years) compare to the world average?: The global average for Compulsory education, duration (years) in 2025 was 10.04, so United States is above the world average. Within North America, it ranks #2 of 3.
What is Compulsory education, duration (years) and how is it measured?: Duration of compulsory education is the number of years that children are legally obliged to attend school.

Download this data: CSV JSON

Source: World Bank Open Data (SE.COM.DURS), CC BY 4.0.