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China's secondary education enrollment hits 92% in 2025, but regional gaps persist

A decade of progress brings China closer to universal secondary schooling. Yet, economic divides still leave western provinces struggling to keep up.

The image shows a poster for International Educational Week 2015, featuring a group of people...
The image shows a poster for International Educational Week 2015, featuring a group of people smiling and holding placards in their hands. The poster has text written on it, likely providing information about the event.

China's secondary education enrollment hits 92% in 2025, but regional gaps persist

China's push for wider access to secondary education has shown steady progress. By 2025, the gross enrollment rate for senior high schools reached 92%, marking a significant rise over the past decade. The growth reflects ongoing efforts to expand schooling opportunities across the country.

In 2012, the national enrollment rate for secondary schools stood at around 87%. By 2020, this figure had climbed to over 90%, showing a clear upward trend. The latest data for 2025 confirms a further increase of 7 percentage points since 2012.

Regional differences remain a key factor in enrollment rates. Eastern provinces such as Shanghai and Beijing have neared universal access, with rates close to 100%. Meanwhile, western regions like Tibet and Xinjiang still lag behind, reporting rates between 70% and 80%. These disparities stem largely from uneven economic development and varying levels of urbanisation across the country.

The 92% enrollment rate in 2025 highlights China's progress in secondary education. However, gaps between eastern and western regions persist due to economic and infrastructural challenges. The figures underscore both achievements and the need for continued investment in less developed areas.

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