Cyprus primary schools recorded 60,596 pupils in 2024

Nicosia, Cyprus. Primary education in Cyprus enrolled 60,596 pupils in 2024, with an average of 11.5 pupils per teacher, according to Eurostat data published on Tuesday.

The pupil-to-teacher ratio was below the EU average of 13.3 pupils per teacher and lower than Cyprus’ 2014 ratio of 13.6 pupils per teacher.

EU primary education figures

In 2024, the EU had 23.2 million pupils in primary education, a decrease of 0.2 per cent, or 35,153 pupils, from 2023. Compared with 2014, the number increased by 2.9 per cent, or 659,086 pupils.

France recorded the largest number of primary education pupils, at 4.1 million, followed by Germany with 3.3 million, Spain with 2.8 million and Italy with 2.6 million.

Only Malta, with 27,537 pupils, and Luxembourg, with 43,020, recorded lower primary education enrolment figures than Cyprus.

Changes since 2014

Compared with 2014, the number of pupils in primary education increased in 15 EU countries and declined in the remaining 11 countries for which data were available.

Eurostat said primary education enrolment figures reflect population size, demographic structure, the typical age at which children start primary school and the age at which compulsory formal education begins.

The publication of the data coincided with International Literacy Day. Eurostat said primary education programmes are generally intended to provide fundamental reading, writing and mathematics skills, as well as a foundation for learning, core knowledge and personal and social development.