Communiqué of the Seventh National Population Census (No. 6)

Communiqué of the Seventh National Population Census[1] (No. 6)

－Educational Attainment

National Bureau of Statistics of China

Office of the Leading Group of the State Council

for the Seventh National Population Census

May 11, 2021

Based on the results of the Seventh National Population Census, released as follows are the basic information about the educational attainment of the population in the 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government (hereinafter referred to as provinces) and the servicemen of the Chinese mainland at 00:00 hours of November 1, 2020.

I. Composition of Educational Attainment

Among the national population[2], there were 218360767 persons with university education (referring to junior college and above); 213005258 persons with senior secondary school education (including secondary technical school); 487163489 persons with junior secondary school education; and 349658828 persons with primary school education (the persons with various educational attainment levels include graduates, dropouts and students at school). Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the persons with university education per 100,000 persons went up from 8930 to 15467; the persons with senior secondary school education up from 14032 to 15088; the persons with junior secondary school education down from 38788 to 34507; the persons with primary school education down from 26779 to 24767.

Table 6-1 Population with Various Educational Attainment Levels per 100,000 Persons by Region

                                        Unit: per 100,000 persons

II. Average Years of Schooling[3]

Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, of the national population, the average years of schooling for people aged 15 and above increased from 9.08 years to 9.91 years.

Among the 31 provinces, the average years of schooling were above 10 years in 13 provinces; between 9 and 10 years in 14 provinces; and less than 9 years in 4 provinces.

Table 6-2 Average Years of Schooling for People

Aged 15 and Above by Region

     Unit: Year 

III. Illiterate Population

Of the national population, 37750200 persons were illiterate (people aged 15 and above who cannot read). Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the illiterate population decreased by 16906373, and the illiteracy rate[4] dropped from 4.08 percent to 2.67 percent, down by 1.41 percentage points.

Notes:

1. All figures in this Communiqué are preliminary results.

2. The national population refers to the population in the 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and servicemen of the Chinese mainland, excluding residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and foreigners living in the 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government.

3. Average years of schooling are means of schooling years converted from the duration of each level of education. Specifically, primary school=6 years, junior secondary school=9 years, senior secondary school=12 years, and junior college and above=16 years.

4. Illiteracy rate refers to the population of 15 years old and above who cannot read divided by the population in the 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and servicemen of the Chinese mainland.

(In case of any differences between English translation and the original Chinese text, the Chinese edition shall prevail.)