Post primary pupil numbers drop for the first time in nine years
Date published:
New accredited official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Department for Education present enrolment figures for schools and children in grant-aided schools for 2025/26 in Northern Ireland.
Key findings
- There are 164,717 pupils in primary schools and preparatory departments (years 1-7), having decreased again from the previous year, by over 2,800 pupils.
- In total 156,763 pupils are enrolled in post-primary schools, a decrease of nearly 130 pupils from last year. This is the first decrease seen in post-primary since 2016/17.
- There are 21,878 pupils in funded pre-school education, that is, pupils attending a nursery school or class, reception or funded voluntary and private pre-school which are part of the Pre-school Education Programme. An additional 107 pupils of pre-school age are in specialist provision in mainstream.
- Approximately 90,300 pupils in all schools (including voluntary and private pre-schools) in Northern Ireland are entitled to free school meals and this represents a quarter of all pupils.
About this publication
This statistical bulletin contains data gathered through the school enrolments census and provides information on school and pupil numbers.
The school census gathers details on pupil gender, year group, religion, ethnicity, and special educational needs.
Schools are classified by type or management category to enable analysis of different sectors.
Further information
For the full report: Annual enrolments at grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland 2025/26
Publication page and background information: School enrolments - overview | Department of Education